The Secretary, Rural Development Department, Shimla and another vs. Milkhi Ram and another FAO (ECA) No.64 of 2023 06.03.2026 Present: Mr. Gobind Korla, Additional Advocate General, for the appellants/State/non-applicants. Mr. Ashok Kumar Verma, Advocate, for respondent No.1/applicant. CMP No.28305 of 2025 The present application, in the case at hand, has been filed on behalf of the applicant/respondent No.1. The award, in the case at hand, was passed on 16.11.2021, in favour of the present applicant/respondent No.1. However, till date no money has been released in favour of the applicant/respondent No.1. The awarded amount has been given, in the case at hand, on account of the injuries received. The applicant presently is aged about 78 years and his occupation is that of a labourer. Though the application is being vehemently opposed and it is contended that serious arguable issues arise for consideration in the appeal so preferred. Suffice it to say that all these contentions shall be considered at the time of final hearing of the appeal. The liability to pay, in the case at hand, has been fastened on the present appellants, assuming if the appellants/non-applicants are able to persuade this Court to take a view that the applicant was employed by the concerned Gram Panchayat, as such, being liable the amount will be payable by the Gram Panchayat. Keeping in view the admitted position that the applicant/ respondent No.1 has sustained injuries and the fact that he is 78 years old, employed as a labourer, is in dire need of money and the fact that no money has been released in his favour till date, 50% of the awarded amount along-with up-to-date interest, lying deposited in the Registry of this Court, is ordered to be released in favour of the applicant/respondent No.1. The same be remitted in the bank account of the applicant/respondent No.1, detailed in Paragraph-4 of the application, subject to proper verification of his identity. The application stands disposed of. ( Bipin C. Negi ) March 06, 2026 (KS) Judge