SHARAD SHANKARAPPA HALKUDE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Both these appeals are decided by this common judgment since the challenge therein is to one and the same judgment and award dtd. 31/8/2009 passed by the Court of Civil Judge Senior Division, Latur in Land Acquisition Reference (L.A.R.) No. 90 of 2000. The first appeal (444 of 2010) has been preferred by the original claimants (land owners), whose agricultural lands came to be acquired for public purpose. The Land Acquisition Officer ('L.A.O.') offered compensation considering the acquired lands to be the agricultural lands, whereas the reference Court has granted compensation on square foot basis. The rate awarded by reference Court is Rs.60.00 per sq.ft., with a rider of deduction of 20% thereof towards development charges.

(2.) The appellants had made a demand of Rs.100.00 per sq. ft. Having been dissatisfied with the award, first appeal (444 of 2010) has been preferred seeking enhancement to that extent. The respondent - State and its authorities have preferred the other appeal (863 of 2015) taking exception to the grant of compensation on square foot basis. In short, the State's appeal is for reduction of amount of compensation awarded by the reference Court. For the sake of convenience, the parties are referred as per their status in First Appeal No. 444 of 2010.

(3.) The appellants are siblings. They owned agricultural lands, bearing Gut Nos. 1090, 1091 and 1092 situated at Renapur. The lands admeasure 6H 35R, 3H 97R and 6H 75R respectively. The lands admeasuring 80R, 25R and 82R from the respective lands i.e. total 1H 87R came to be acquired for construction of administrative building and Tahsil office at Renapur.