THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE B.PRAKASH RAO AND THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE P.DURGA PRASAD L.A.A.S.Nos.148, 153, 157, 282, 283, 287 and 288 of 2007 COMMON JUDGMENT:(Per Hon’ble Sri Justice BPR,J) Since the issue involved in these appeals is one and the same, they are being disposed of together by this common judgment. These appeals are filed by the appellant/Land Acquisition Officer (LAO) against the common order, dated 30.08.2004, passed by the learned Senior Civil Judge, Atmakur, on the ground that the market value fixed by him over the subject lands is excessive. The brief facts of the case are that the LAO acquired the subject lands, belonging to the respondents/claimants, situated in Boyarevula Village, Velgode Mandal, Atmakur District, by issuing notification, dated 26.09.2991, under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short, ‘the Act’) for the purpose of excavation of Santhajutur Major Distributory Canal in Reach No.1. After conducting an enquiry, the LAO passed an award, dated 28.03.1992, fixing the market rate at Rs.4,500/- per acre. Since the claimants were not satisfied with the same, they took the matter to the Senior Civil Judge’s Court, Atmakur. During the course of enquiry, one of the claimants was examined as PW.1 and marked Ex.A1 – copy of registered sale deed, dated 10.12.1990, on behalf of the petitioner/claimant therein. No evidence was adduced on behalf of the respondent, but marked Ex.B1 – award passed by the LAO, dated 28.03.1992. The learned Senior Civil Judge, considering the material available on record, divided the subject lands into two categories; one is cultivable dry land and another is dry land. The market rate is fixed at Rs.15,000/- per acre for the first category and to the latter at Rs.18,000/- per acre. Aggrieved by the same, these appeals are filed by the appellant/LAO. Heard learned Government Pleader for Appeals and Sri J.Janakirami Reddy, counsel for the respondents/claimants in L.A.A.S.No.153 of 2007 and perused the material available on record. There is no dispute with regard to the acquisition of the subject lands for the purpose excavation of Santhajutur Major Distributory Canal in Reach No.1. During the course of hearing, it has been pointed out that in respect of the lands of the same village, which have also been acquired for the same purpose, this Court has fixed the market rate at Rs.25,000/- per acre. In the facts and circumstances of the case, we are not inclined to interfere with the fixation of the market value. The appeals are, accordingly, dismissed. However, it is made clear that the respondents/claimants are entitled to all the statutory benefits as per the amended Act. There shall be no order as to costs. ______________________ B. PRAKASH RAO, J ______________________ P.DURGA PRASAD, J 08.03.2011 KSM/KH