The Supreme Court of India has ruled that a carpenter cannot be classified as an unskilled worker, recognizing carpentry as a skilled profession. This landmark judgment came in a motor accident compensation case where the appellant, a carpenter, suffered a life-altering injury.
Background:
The case involved Karamjit Singh, a carpenter, who met with a severe accident in 2014. The collision resulted in the amputation of his right arm, impacting his livelihood. Initially, the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT) awarded him ₹6.83 lakh as compensation, later revised by the Punjab and Haryana High Court to ₹8.26 lakh. Dissatisfied, the appellant sought further redress in the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court emphasized that carpentry requires manual dexterity and precision, skills not possessed by untrained individuals. Referring to its earlier judgments, including State of Orissa v. Adwait Charan Mohanty (1995) and Neeta v. Maharashtra SRTC (2015), the Court reaffirmed that carpentry is a skilled trade.
The bench, comprising Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Manmohan, highlighted that the minimum wages for skilled workers should apply when calculating compensation. The Court noted:
"A carpenter is somebody who uses wood and constructs objects for daily use or beauty. A normal person not trained in this craft cannot undertake such activities with the precision required. It would be unfair to classify a carpenter as an unskilled worker."
Taking into account the prevalent minimum wages for skilled workers, the Court recalculated the compensation to ₹15.91 lakh, up from ₹8.26 lakh. This included adjustments for loss of future earnings, pain and suffering, and other expenses.
Final Breakdown of Compensation:
- Loss of future earnings: ₹10.36 lakh
- Treatment and medical expenses: ₹60,000
- Pain and suffering: ₹60,000
- Future prospects: ₹3.50 lakh
- Other charges: ₹85,158
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This judgment not only ensures fair compensation for Karamjit Singh but also sets a precedent for the legal recognition of carpentry as a skilled profession, emphasizing the need for appropriate classification in similar cases.
Case Details:
- Case Name: Karamjit Singh v. Amandeep Singh & Anr.
- Court: Supreme Court of India
- Bench: Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Manmohan
- Date of Judgment: December 17, 2024
By classifying carpentry as a skilled trade, the Supreme Court has acknowledged the expertise involved in this profession, ensuring that workers like Karamjit Singh receive justice and fair compensation for their invaluable contributions to society.