Which one of the following statements in the context of the Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923 is correct?
– Statement A: Section 8(1) prohibits the assignment or charge of lump sums or half-monthly payments, or their passing to any person other than the employee or his dependents. So, the statement that it *may* be assigned or charged is incorrect.
– Statement B: Section 10 requires notice of the accident as soon as practicable and a claim within two years. However, the proviso to Section 10(1) allows the Commissioner to entertain a claim even if notice was not given in due time if the employer had knowledge of the accident or if failure was due to sufficient cause. Thus, it *may* be entertained. This statement is correct.
– Statement C: Section 7 allows for the redemption of half-monthly payments by a lump sum under certain circumstances determined by the Commissioner. Therefore, it *can* under certain circumstances be redeemed, contrary to the statement. This is incorrect.
– Statement D: Section 7 explicitly provides for the review of half-monthly payments by the Commissioner on the application of either the employer or employee, accompanied by a medical certificate indicating a change in the condition of the employee. This directly matches the statement. This is correct.
Both B and D are factually correct based on the provisions. However, typically in UPSC MCQs asking for ‘which one is correct’, only one option is intended as the best fit or most direct statement from the Act. Statement D describes a routine process (review of half-monthly payment based on changed condition) directly enabled by Section 7. Statement B describes an exception to a procedural requirement (timely notice) allowed under a proviso to Section 10, which is conditional on the Commissioner’s discretion based on specific facts (employer knowledge or sufficient cause). Statement D is a more general statement of a power available under the Act whenever the condition (change in employee’s state) is met, whereas B relies on specific circumstances to override a default rule. Therefore, D is the most likely intended correct answer as a direct statement of a power/procedure under the Act.