SPECIAL LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER Vs. ISHWARBHAI BAKORBHAI DECD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) What should be the market price so as to award just and reasonable amount of compensation to the respondents-original claimants, whose lands have been acquired, is the main question, which has come up for consideration and adjudication in this two groups of appeals, under section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (Act, for short). Since this group emerges out of common judgment and raises identical questions, upon consensus, we propose to discuss and decide, simultaneously, by this common judgment.

(2.) A conspectus of facts, relevant and material for the purpose of deciding the main issue, needs narration, at the outset.

(3.) In the first group of appeals, the Executive Engineer, Narmada Project, Main Canal, Construction Division, 11, Ahmedabad proposed to the Government for the acquisition of the lands in question, as a result of which, a notification under section 4(1) of the Act, dated 13.12.85 and followed by notification under section 6(1), dated 2.4.87, came to be issued. The Special Land Acquisition Officer, by his award dated 21.4.89 awarded compensation to the claimants at the rate of Rs.4 per sq. mtr.