B. J. Shethna - (1.) All these appeals are disposed of by this common order as they are arising out of the common judgment and order doted 31.12.1998 passed by the Railway claims Tribunal in Claim Application Nos. 399 to 1020 of 1990 (in all 45 applications).
(2.) The appellant-Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) initially filed 45 suits, but on the establishment of Tribunal in 1989 the same were transferred to the Tribunal as applications. The commodity involved in it was iron goods. The originating stations were Bhilai, Durgpur and Bokaro, whereas, the destination station was Pratapnagar, Baroda. The basis of claiming compensatioin was shortage in the consignment certified by a Private Surveyor.
(3.) It may be stated five appeals only in present nine cases and not in remaining 36 cases, where the amount involved was small. Therefore, we are required to decide only present nine appeals on merits.,;