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Punjab & Haryana HC Enhances MACT Compensation to ₹16.9 Lakh Citing Homemaker's Multifarious Services

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
23 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:₹16.92 lakh₹4.55 lakh₹8,000 per monthJune 21, 2009April 18, 2026
Bodies:Punjab and Haryana High CourtMotor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT)
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What This Article Covers

1.The Punjab and Haryana High Court enhanced compensation for a deceased homemaker from ₹4.55 lakh to ₹16.92 lakh, emphasizing the need to consider her 'multifarious services' like cooking, maid service, and emotional support.

2.Justice Harkesh Manuja cited precedents (Laxmidhar Nayak v. Jugal Kishore Behera & National Insurance Co Ltd v. Dhan Singh) to establish a notional income of ₹8,000 per month for the homemaker-cum-seamstress involved in a 2009 accident.

3.The court held that lack of documentary proof for an injured claimant's teacher income should not deny compensation if injuries and treatment period clearly established loss of earnings during rehabilitation.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

The Punjab and Haryana High Court significantly increased compensation awarded by a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), recognizing the economic value of a homemaker's unpaid labor—including cooking, housekeeping, and emotional support—as 'multifarious services.' This judgment highlights evolving judicial interpretation of notional income in accident claims.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Enhanced Compensation Amount₹16.92 lakh
Original MACT Award₹4.55 lakh
Court Notional Income (Homemaker)₹8,000 per month
Accident DateJune 21, 2009
Judgment DateApril 18, 2026
Presiding JudgeJustice Harkesh Manuja
Referenced Case (1991)Laxmidhar Nayak v. Jugal Kishore Behera
Referenced Case (2017)National Insurance Co Ltd v. Dhan Singh

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Enhanced Compensation Amount: ₹16.92 lakh
  • ›Original MACT Award: ₹4.55 lakh
  • ›Target this Data: ₹16.92 lakh (enhanced compensation), ₹4.55 lakh (original MACT award), ₹8,000 per month (notional income for homemaker-cum-seamstress in 2009)
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Principle of 'multifarious services' of a homemaker for calculating notional income

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which statutory body is primarily responsible for adjudicating compensation claims for motor accident victims, as referenced in the news?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the Punjab and Haryana High Court judgment:

1. The court enhanced the compensation for a deceased homemaker from ₹4.55 lakh to ₹16.92 lakh.

2. The court rejected the concept of 'notional income' for homemakers, stating their services cannot be monetized.

3. The court cited the case of National Insurance Co Ltd v. Dhan Singh to support its calculation of notional income.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the Punjab and Haryana High Court judgment, what was the notional income per month assessed for the homemaker-cum-seamstress involved in the 2009 accident?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary legal principle emphasized by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in enhancing the compensation?

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