LAND ACQUISITION OFFICER Vs. SINGANA SUBBAIAH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These petitions viz., CMP No. 13903 of 2002 in A.S. (SR) No. 35071 of 2002, CMP No. 13907 of 2002 in A.S. (SR) No. 35238 of -2002, CMP No. 13908 of 2002 in A.S. (SR) No. 35063 of 2002, CMP No. 14487 of 2002 in A.S. (SR) No. 35076 of 2002, CMP No. 15370 of 2002 in A.S. (SR) No. 35067 of 2002 are filed by the Special Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition), Somasila Project, Unit-IV, Rajampet, Cuddapah District seeking to condone the delay of 694, 715,694,584 and 707 days respectively in preferring the appeals against the orders and decrees of the Senior Civil Judge, Rajampet in L.A.O. P.Nos. 39,48,42,141,and 50 of 1999 respectively dated 09-2-2000 enhancing the compensation awarded by the State.

(2.) Since all the appeals arise out of the same acquisition, these petitions for condonation of delay in filing the appeals are clubbed and this common order is passed.

(3.) The brief facts of the cases leading to the filing of these appeals, as stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petitions, are that a village by name Gollapalli, hamlet of Malinenipatnam, Atloor Mandal, Cuddapah District was acquired for fore shore submersion under the Somasila Project. The Land Acquisition Officer passed Award No. 4/95-96 dated 2-3-1996, fixing the market value prevailing at the relevant date towards compensation. Aggrieved by the market value fixed by the Land Acquisition Officer the respondents sought for reference under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act and accordingly the matter was referred to the Sub-Court, Rajampet. The said Court passed the impugned orders enhancing the compensation by 80% on the market value fixed by the Land Acquisition Officer for the structures said to be submerged in the fore shore of Somasila Project. These appeals have been preferred challenging the orders passed by the lower Court.