HON'BLE MR JUSTICE RAMESH RANGANATHAN WRIT PETITION No.7516 of 2010 ORDER: Heard Sri P. Sridhar Reddy, Learned Counsel for the petitioner and the Learned Government Pleader for Land Acquisition and, at their request, the Writ Petition is being disposed of at the stage of admission. Petitioners, eight in number, have questioned the delegation of powers by the District Collector to the Special Deputy Collector authorizing him to exercise the powers of the Collector under Section 5-A of the Land Acquisition Act on the ground that it is only the Government which, under Section 3(c), is empowered to authorize an officer to discharge the functions of a Collector. Sri P. Sridhar Reddy, Learned Counsel for the petitioner, would submit that, while the names of some of the petitioners herein are reflected in the notification issued under Section 4(1) of the Act, the names of a few others do not find place even though they are the owners of the lands under acquisition. He would submit that Section 5-A confers a right, on every person aggrieved, to file their objections to the notice issued under Section 5-A(1) of the Act and it is only if this Court were to direct the respondents to issue a notice under Section 5-A(1), would the petitioners be in a position to file their objections thereto, and avail the opportunity of hearing as provided for under Section 5-A of the Act. Learned Government Pleader for Land Acquisition, on the other hand, would submit that, in view of the proceedings of the Government in G.O.Ms. No.136 dated 04.07.2008, the Special Deputy Collector has also been authorised to exercise the powers of the Collector under Section 3(c), and is empowered to exercise the functions of the District Collector under Section 5-A of the Act. He would submit that Section 5-A(1) enables any person, interested in the land notified under Section 4(1) of the Act, to submit his objections to the notification and, while the Land Acquisition Officer is required to issue notice under Section 5-A(1) to all those whose names were reflected in the Section 4(1) Notification, the Collector would also issue notices to person aggrieved in case they make an application expressing their objections to the notification issued under Section 4(1) of the Act. As the Government, by G.O.Ms. No.136 dated 04.07.2008, has also empowered the Special Deputy Collector to discharge the functions of the Collector, under the Land Acquisition Act including to hear objections and pass an order under Section 5-A(2), the contention that the Special Deputy Collector is not so authorized does not merit acceptance. With regards the contention that such of those petitioners, whose names are not reflected in the Section 4(1) notification, are also entitled to an opportunity to submit their objections under Section 5-A of the Act, the opportunity under Section 5-A can be availed by any person aggrieved by such an acquisition. I consider it appropriate, therefore, to permit such of the petitioners herein, whose names are not reflected in the Section 4(1) notification, to submit applications putting forth their objections to the notification issued under Section 4(1) of the Act. In case such an application is received by the Land Acquisition Officer, within three weeks from today, the second respondent shall put the petitioners on notice, invite their objections under Section 5-A(2), afford them an opportunity of being heard and, thereafter, make his recommendations for the decision of the Government. The Writ Petition is, accordingly, disposed of. No costs. Date: 15.04.2010 ___________________________ RAMESH RANGANATHAN, J Note: Issue copy in one week. B/o MRKR