( 1 ) THIS appeal is filed by the Applicant in O. A. No. 8 of 1990 before the Railway Claims Tribunal, Secunderabad Bench, aggrieved by the order dated 21-9-1992 passed therein.

( 2 ) THE question involved in this appeal is whether the provisions of the Limitation Act will apply to the Railway Claims Tribunal or not.

( 3 ) THE appellant filed O. A. No. 8/1990 before the Railway Claims Tribunal, Secunderabad Bench (hereinafter referred to as the "r. C. T. ") for compensation for shortage and damage alleged to have been suffered by a consignment of tea carried by the Railways from New Gauhati in N. E. F. Railway to Bhongir in South Central Railway. On 23-3-1986 the appellant booked the consignment of goods (tea packets) at Gauhati Railway Station under Railway Receipt No. A-178310 to be delivered at Bhongir in Andhra Pradesh. At the time of delivery of goods at Bhongir Railway Station, it was found that some of the tea packets were in damaged condition and there was also a shortage of 15 Kgs of tea packets. The Station Master of Bhongir Railway Station issued a certificate of shortage and damage. The applicant thereafter preferred a claim for compensation with the 2nd