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PETITIONER: M/S, HINDUSTAN PAPER CORPN. LTD.

       Vs.

RESPONDENT: SAKHRAM GOUR & ORS.

DATE OF JUDGMENT25/07/1995

BENCH: RAMASWAMY, K. BENCH: RAMASWAMY, K. PARIPOORNAN, K.S.(J)

CITATION:  1995 SCC  (5) 282        JT 1995 (6)     2  1995 SCALE  (4)664

ACT:

HEADNOTE:

JUDGMENT:                             WITH            CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 5167 TO 5248 OF 1992                          O R D E R      Notification under s.4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act 1 of 1898 (for short ‘the Act’) was published on July 3, 1979. The Land  Acquisition  Collector  classified  the  land  and awarded the  compensation @  Rs.2,000/- to 3,000/- per bigha to the  respective  lands.  On  reference  under  s.18,  the reference court  enhanced the  market value to Rs.8,500/- to Rs.6,500/- per bigha while maintaining classification of the land. In  First Appeal No.81/86 and other connected cases by Judgment and  decree dated  January 30,  1989, Guwahati High Court affirmed  the award and decree of the reference court. Thus these appeals by special leave.      We have  gone through  the judgment  of  the  Reference Court vis-a-vis the judgment of the High Court. We found, on the facts  and circumstances  of the  case, that appropriate market value  would be  Rs.4,875/- and Rs.6,375/- instead of Rs.6,500/- and  8,500/- respectively  for the  lands  as  it would reflect  the prevailing market value as on the date of the Notification,  namely, July  3, 1979.  Accordingly,  the market value  is determined at Rs.4,875/- and Rs.6,375/- per bigha as  per the  classification, nature and quality of the lands. Award  of the  reference court  being made  after the Amendment  Act  had  come  into  force,  the  claimants  are entitled to  the statutory  benefits of the Amendment Act 68 of 1984.  Accordingly, the  claimants are  entitled  to  30% solatium on  the enhanced  compensation, 9% interest for one year and  15% interest  thereafter from  the date  of taking possession on the enhanced compensation till date of deposit or payment,  whichever is earlier. They are also entitled to 12% of the additional amount under s.23(1-A) of the Act. The appeals are disposed of accordingly. The award and decree of the reference court is modified accordingly. No costs.      The appellants  are directed  to deposit the amount, if

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not already  deposited, within a period of eight months from the date of the receipt of this order.