THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE GODA RAGHURAM AND THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR L.A.A.S.NO.348 OF 2007 DATED 22nd DECEMBER, 2010 BETWEEN: The Special Deputy Collector (LAO), Telugu Ganga Project, Nandyal. … Appellant/Referring Officer a n d Velpula Ratnamma … Respondent/Claimant. THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE GODA RAGHURAM AND THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR L.A.A.S.NO.348 OF 2007 J U D G M E N T (Per Sri Justice Sanjay Kumar) An appeal by the State against the Order and Decree dated 26.10.2004 passed by the reference Court of the Senior Civil Judge, Atmakur, in O.P.No.456 of 1999, enhancing the compensation from Rs.7,500/- per acre to Rs.20,000/- per acre. The land of the respondent admeasuring Ac.0-38 cents situated in Velgode Village, Kurnool District, was acquired for the Telugu Ganga Project. The Land Acquisition Officer, upon due enquiry, determined the market value of the land at Rs.7,500/- per acre. Dissatisfied therewith, the respondent sought reference under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, which was taken on file as O.P.No.456 of 1999. By its common order dated 26.10.2004 passed in O.P.No.428 of 1999 along with four other O.Ps., the reference Court enhanced the market value to Rs.20,000/- per acre. The reference Court placed reliance on Ex.A.1 sale deed dated 09.04.1981 and Ex.A.3 sale deed dated 26.09.1983, both anterior to the date of acquisition, which it found to be genuine and trustworthy. Sale consideration under these documents reflected the market value of the land being in the range of Rs.19,000/- per acre to Rs.25,000/- per acre. Apart from these documents, the reference Court placed reliance upon the order of this Court marked as Ex.A.2 confirming the enhancement of the market value of dry lands in Velgode Village at Rs.20,000/- per acre. As the State’s challenge against this order met with failure before the Supreme Court, the reference Court was guided by the confirmed enhancement of the market value at Rs.20,000/- per acre in that case. As this Court already sealed its approval in the earlier litigation referred to by the reference Court upon the market value of dry lands in Velgode Village at Rs.20,000/- per acre, we see no reason to take a different view or interfere with the order under appeal, accepting and acting upon such market value. The appeal is accordingly dismissed. There shall be no order as to costs. ------------------------------ GODA RAGHURAM,J -------------------------- SANJAY KUMAR,J 22ND DECEMBER, 2010 PGS