1. Since the claim petitions filed by the respondents herein have been decided by a common award, all these appeals shall stand disposed of by this common order.

2. These appeals, under Section 30 of Workmens Compensation Act, (hereinafter referred to as the `Act) preferred by Divisional Manager State Forest Corporation, Udhampur, are directed against the award dated 31.8.2002 passed by Commissioner Workmens Compensation (Assistant Labour Commissioner) Doda, Camp Ramban, thereby awarding a sum of Rs. 8,13,900/- to the applicants by giving break up of each applicant, inclusive of interest at the rate of 12% effective from the date of institution of claim upto the date of award, in accordance with Section 4(1) (b) of the Act, on the ground of physical disability suffered by them, as assessed by the medical evidence.

3. Facts of the case, in short, may be noticed. Respondents-applicants, namely, Qadir Baksh, Atta Mohammad Bali, Gulzar Begum and Mohd Qasim Bali, presented separate applications in respect of their respective claims under the Workmens Compensation Act before the Commissioner Workmens Compensation (Assistant Labour Commissioner) Doda, each alleging that while in employment

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