V.K. Raghavan vs Commissioner for Workmen''s

J.B. Koshy, J.—Second respondent in this case, a coconut tree climber and toddy tapper, employed by the appellant, met with a serious accident as he fell from a coconut tree. As a result of the accident, he sustained serious injuries as can be seen from Exts. A1 and A5 medical certificates. Ext. A4 shows that he was an employee of the appellant, but, he was denied benefit from the Kerala Tree Climbers Benefit Scheme as he was engaged in the tapping of toddy. The appellant was the licensee. A.W. 3 deposed that accident occurred while tapping coconut tree in his property and tree was leased to the appellant for tapping toddy. Merely because he was not enrolled as a member of the Welfare Fund Scheme as he was a temporary employee, workmen''s compensation benefit cannot be denied. Finding of the Commissioner that second respondent met with the accident during the course of employment under the appellant is based on evidence adduced in this case. The loss of earning capacity was also arrived at by the Commissioner on the basis of the medical certificate produced and since it is a finding of fact, no appeal will lie u/s 30 of the Workmen''s Compensation Act as there is no substantial question of law. Apart from the above, it is seen that the required prior deposit of compensation is not made. Therefore, the appeal itself is not maintainable.

The appeal is dismissed.