The absence of a period of limitation for claiming compensation on account of no fault liability under the Motor Vehicles Act.

Amarjeet Chaudhary, J.

1. The claimants had filed claim petition under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act alongwith an application under Section 5 of the Limitation Act. The Motor, Accident Claims Tribunal, Amritsar vide its order dated 4.9.1992 dismissed the claim petition as well as application after recording a finding that the claim petition as well as application after recording a finding that the claim petition was barred by one year and three months.

2. Dissatisfied with the award, the claimants have filed the appeal and also an application under Section 140 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 for rent of no fault compensation.

3. The challenge to the award is that the Tribunal ought to have awarded a sum of Rs. 25,000/- on account of no fault liability for which there is no period of limitation.

4. After hearing learned counsel for the parties, this appeal is partly allowed following the ratio of law laid down in Ram Piyari v. Punjab State Co-op. Milk Federation, Bhatinda and Anr., (1992-2)102 P.L.R. 494, wherein it was held that there was no period of limitation provided under the Act for preffering an application for compensation on account of no fault liability.

5. In this view of the matter, the claimants are held entitled to the compensation of Rs. 25,000/- alongwith 12% interest per annum for the date of filing of the claim petition. The compensation amount is to be paid by the State of Punjab and Insurance Company in equal shares.

6. The F.A.O. stands disposed of accordingly. However, there will be no order as to costs.