B GOVINDA REDDY Vs. R D O

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These two writ petitions can be disposed of by this common order as common questions of fact and law arise for consideration. I have elaborately heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Pleader for Land Acquisition, though the matters are listed for admission only. FACTS IN BRIEF

(2.) The first respondent herein acquired a total extent of Ac.23.15 cents of land situated in Peapully village for the purpose of construction of perculating tank by name 'Ramannacheruvu'. The petitioners in these two writ petitions are the owners/claimants of the said land. It is stated in the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition that advance possession of the land was taken over by the first respondent for the aforesaid public purpose on 1-12-1981, The requisition department did not deposit the amount for payment of compensation to the owners of the said land for several years. Ultimately, notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short 'the Act') was published on 5-3-1992. Thereafter the first respondent passed Award No.3/93 on 30-9-1993 awarding an amount of Rs.12,000/- per acre for the dry land; Rs.20,000-00 per acre for the wet land; and Rs.18,000-00 per acre for irrigable dry land.

(3.) The petitioners herein, however, sought for reference under Section 18 of the Act and at their instance, the award was referred to the Principal Subordinate Judge, Kurnool in O.P.Nos.16,10, 7,13,19, 94,11, 6, 5, 8, 9,17, 14, 4, 15 and 41/94 and 374, 93, 307/97, 385/93; 384/93; 376/93; 31/94; 377/93; 32/94; 1/94; 2/94; 3/94; 375/93; 378/93; 379/93; 380/93; 12/94 and 18/94 respectively. These Original petitions were disposed of on 29-1-1996 enhancing compensation over and above what has been awarded by the Land Acquisition Officer from Rs.12,000 to Rs.20,000 per acre for dry land; Rs.20,000/- to Rs.30,000-00 per acre for wet land; and Rs.18,000/- to Rs.30,000-00 per acre for irrigable dry land.