NATIONAL BOARDS LIMITED Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. M. Kataki, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner. The respondents are represented by Mr. M. Bhagabati, the learned Govt. Advocate.

(2.) The petitioner is a company and was earlier known as the Assam Hardboards Limited. When Government notified the Revenue Sale Case No.1/1962 -63, for default of land revenue, the Company participated in the auction and purchased about 1055 Bigha 3 Kaha 1 Lecha of land of Fee Sample Grant No.1 in Panikhaiti village in the erstwhile Kamrup District. Another 21 Bigha 1 Katha 6 Lecha of land was also purchased subsequently from private land owners. Thus in the year 1966, the total land holding of the petitioner stood at 1069 Bigha 1 Katha 17 Lecha.

(3.) Since the petitioners were owning excess land, the Ceiling Case No.1386/1976 - 77 was instituted under the Assam Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1956 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Ceiling Act'), by the Kamrup D.C. and eventually on 28.11.1981, the final statement was prepared by the Dy. Commissioner in the Ceiling Case, whereby 925 Bigha 0 Katha 12 Lecha of the company's land of the Fee Sample Grant No.1, was declared as ceiling surplus land.