COMMON JUDGMENT

Introductory:

1. The claimant in M.V.O.P.No.68 of 1999, dissatisfied with the quantum of compensation awarded in a sum of Rs.81,265/- as against the claim made for Rs.3,00,000/- under decree and order dated 28.11.2001 passed by the Motor Vehicles Accidents Claims Tribunal-cum- I Additional District Judge, Guntur (for short “the learned MACT”), filed the present appeal.

2. Both the respondents remained ex parte before the learned MACT. However, in this appeal, respondent No.2 / Insurance Company is represented by Smt. A. Jayanthi, learned counsel.

3. Heard both sides.

4. For the sake of convenience, the parties will be referred to as the claimant and the respondents as and how they are arrayed before the learned MACT.

Case of the claimant:

5(i). The claimant was working as a regular Mazdoor in the Telephone Department, Chandramoulinagar, Guntur. While he was traveling along with other employees on 20.05.1995 at about 02:30 p.m. in a van bearing No.AP 7T 2738 of the Telephone Department and when the van reached Chintaguntla Village of Markapur Mandal, a vehicle / lorry of respondent No.1 bearing No.AP 10T 2979 (hereinafter referred to as “the offending vehicle”) came in the