STATE OF PUNJAB Vs. SHARAN PAL SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) By the impugned orders dated 11/10/1990, the High court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh has held that part of the land acquisition proceedings haslapsed for non-compliance of Section 11-A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 which requires passing of an award within 2 years from the date of declaration under Section 6 of the Act.

(3.) The appellant State government issued notices under Section 4 (1 and declaration under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act on 1/6/1982 and 17/8/19833 respectively to acquire certain lands. Subsequently, an award was passed by the Land Acquisition Officer on 25/3/1985. The respondents challenged the award contending that the award was not in conformity with Section 11 of the Act inasmuch as the award has determined the compensation for the land only and the amount of compensation regarding the superstructures and trees that were standing on such lands was left to be decided separately. The appellant herein (respondent before the High court) in its written statement took a stand in the following terms: