The Supreme Court determined on Friday that the worth of the work performed by a woman in her home is equally important as that of an individual earning a salary in an office. A bench comprising justices Suryan Kant and KV Viswanathan described the contribution of a “homemaker” as priceless.
The court declared that the value of a woman overseeing household affairs is of significant importance, with her contributions being challenging to measure in monetary terms. Furthermore, the top court emphasized that tribunals and courts should assess the hypothetical income of “homemakers” considering their efforts, labor, and sacrifices in motor accident claim cases.
SC On Homemakers
On Friday, the bench, in its order, stated that the role of a homemaker is as important as that of a family member whose income is tangible, and if the activities performed by a homemaker are computed one by one, there cannot be any doubt that the contribution is of a high order and is invaluable. It was noted that her contributions are difficult to compute only in monetary terms.
The court was hearing a motor accident case stemming from the tragic death of a woman from Uttarakhand in a road accident back in 2006. Since the vehicle she was traveling in was uninsured, the responsibility to compensate her family fell on the vehicle owner.
The family, comprising her husband and minor son, was awarded damages totaling ₹2.5 lakh by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal. Nonetheless, in 2017, the Uttarakhand High Court turned down the family’s plea for increased compensation. In its judgment, the High Court noted that the deceased woman was a “homemaker,” necessitating that the compensation be calculated based on her life expectancy and a nominal hypothetical income.
The High Court found no faults in the tribunal’s decision to consider the woman’s hypothetical income to be lower than that of a daily wage laborer.
To this, the Supreme Court on Friday, disapproved while hearing the appeal against the high court order. The high court faced criticism for embracing an obsolete methodology. “Treating a homemaker’s income as lower than that of a daily wage earner is unacceptable,” was the sentiment expressed.
Subsequently, the bench increased the compensation to ₹6 lakh, with instructions for it to be disbursed to the deceased woman’s family within six weeks. Furthermore, it was emphasized, “The importance of recognizing the value of a homemaker cannot be overstated.”
