New Delhi: In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court on Thursday recognised homemakers as “nation builders” and ruled that the loss of household care and services provided by a homemaker should be valued at a minimum of ₹30,000 per month while determining compensation in motor accident cases.
A Bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh held that the contribution of a homemaker to the family and society is significant and deserves independent recognition under compensation laws. The court made the observation while awarding enhanced compensation to a man who lost his wife in a road accident.
Delivering the verdict, Justice Karol said that homemakers play a vital role in human development and the progress of the nation. “A homemaker contributes immensely to human development and national growth. In that sense, a homemaker is truly a nation builder,” the Bench observed.
The court ruled that in motor accident compensation claims, the loss of domestic care and services rendered by a homemaker should be treated as a separate and compensable head of claim. It fixed a notional monthly income of at least ₹30,000 for assessing such loss.
The Bench clarified that this compensation would be in addition to the conventional heads of compensation laid down by the Supreme Court in the landmark Pranay Sethi judgment. The ruling marks a significant advancement over earlier judicial observations that a homemaker’s contribution should not be valued below the minimum wages paid to a daily-wage worker.
The court further stressed that the unpaid work performed by homemakers forms the backbone of countless households and contributes substantially to the country’s social and economic development, despite often remaining unrecognised.
In addition to the compensation-related directions, the Bench issued guidelines aimed at expediting the disposal of motor accident claim cases. It expressed hope that tribunals would effectively implement the summary procedure envisaged under Section 169 of the Motor Vehicles Act to ensure speedy justice for victims and their families.
The Supreme Court also directed Chief Justices of all High Courts to monitor the functioning of Motor Accident Claims Tribunals to ensure timely adjudication of cases and prompt delivery of compensation to affected families.
