Order

SLP (C) Nos. 21613/97, 22950/97, 22590/97, 1481/98, 1799/98 and 16518/ 1998 :

The neat question involved in these special leave petitions is wheth­er, the amendment of Sections 4 and 4A of the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923, made by Act No. 30 of 1995 with effect from 15.9.1995, enhancing the amount of compensation and rate of interest, would be attracted to cases where the claims in respect of death or permanent disablement resulting from an accident caused during the course of employment, took place prior to 15.9.1995?

2. Various High Courts in the country, while dealing with the claim for compensation under the Workmen’s Compensation Act have uniformly taken the view that the relevant date for determining the rights and liabilities of the parties is the date of the accident.

3. A four Judge Bench of this Court in Pratap Narain Singh Deo v. Srinivas Sabata & Anr.1 speaking through Shinghal, J. has held that an employer becomes liable to pay compensation as soon as the personal injury is caused to the workmen by the accident which arose out of and in the course of employment. Thus, the relevant date for determination of the rate of compensation, is the date of the accident and