SANT RAM Vs. PRINCIPAL SECRETARY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By way of aforesaid appeal filed under Section 54 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (hereinafter referred to as the Act), challenge has been laid to award dated 16.01.2016 passed by learned District Judge, Sirmaur District at Nahan, H.P. in Land Reference Petition No.02-LAC/4 of 2014, titled as Daleep Singh & Another vs. The Principal Secretary (Power) to the Government of H.P. and Others alongwith other connected Land Reference petitions, as described in the award. Whether the reporters of Local Papers may be allowed to see the judgement? Yes.

(2.) Undisputedly, the suit land belonging to claimant(s), situate in village Siun, Sub-Tehsil Nohra, District Sirmaur, H.P. came to be acquired for public purpose; namely; construction of "Renuka Ji Dam" and acquisition proceedings commenced with the issuance of Notification under Section 4 of the Act on 21.12.2009. The Land Acquisition Collector (for short 'LAC') passed award No.659, dated 31.08.2012 and awarded compensation of the acquired land as per the classification of the land mentioned in the award.

(3.) Claimants, being aggrieved and dissatisfied with the amount of compensation awarded by 'LAC', preferred reference petition under Section 18 of the Act, before the learned District Judge, Sirmaur District at Nahan, seeking therein enhancement of compensation, awarded by the Land Acquisition Collector. Learned District Judge vide common judgment dated 16.01.2016, passed in above numbered reference petition alongwith other connected matters, re-determined the market value of the acquired land falling in the category of Nakabil/Ghasni/Gair Mumkin from Rs.60,500/- to Rs.1,00,000/- per bigha alongwith all statutory benefits as mentioned in the award.