THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.4481 of 2011 ORDER: The National Highways Authority issued notifications under the relevant provisions of the National Highways Act, 1956 (for short ‘the Act’) proposing to acquire land in survey No.82/4 of Mulaguntapadu Village, Singarayakonda Mandal, Prakasam District, for the purpose of widening the National Highway No.5. The petitioners state that though they are the owners of land, and entitled to receive compensation, respondents 4 to 7 have also made claims for payment of the compensation. Apprehending that the 2nd respondent is likely to pay the compensation, the petitioners filed this writ petition seeking a direction against him. Heard Sri Ganta Rama Rao, learned counsel for the petitioners, and Sri Srinivasa Varma, learned counsel for the respondents 1 and 2. The petitioners do not object to the acquisition as such. Their grievance is only about payment of compensation. The 2nd respondent is conferred with the power to determine the market value and to pay the compensation to the actual owners. In case there are rival claims for payment of compensation, he is under obligation to refer the matter to the civil Court under Section 3-H(4) of the Act. Hence, the writ petition is disposed of, directing that, in case there is an agreement among the petitioners and respondents 4 to 7, to receive compensation, the payment shall be made as per the agreement, and on the other hand, if there are rival claims, the 2nd respondent shall refer the matter to the civil Court under Section 3-H(4) of the Act. There shall be no order as costs. _____________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY, J. Dt.25.02.2011. Note: Furnish C.C. in three days. (B/o) GJ