RFA No. 146 of 2007 18.12.2009 Present: Mr. J.S. Guleria, Asstt. A.G., for the appellants. Mr. Ramesh Sharma, counsel for the respondent. It is undisputed before me that the judgment of the reference Court in this appeal was subject matter of decision in RFA No. 339 of 2006, titled State of H.P. through Secretary (PWD) & Anr. vs Hiri Devi & others, decided on June 29, 2009. While disposing of the appeal, this Court held:- “Admittedly, notification issued u/s 4 of the Act was published in the H.P. Rajpatra on 20.12.1997. The Apex Court in Patel Joitaram Kalidas (surpa) has held that interest on the amount payable by way of an additional amount and solatium is automatic and the Court is bound to grant the same irrespective of the fact as to whether the same was claimed or not. The Court took into account its earlier decision rendered in Sunder vs. Union of India (2001(7)SCC 211), wherein it has been held that the Court is bound to award interest on the additional amount u/s 23(1-A) and solatium payable u/s 23(2) of the Act. The Apex Court has further held that the statutory interest and the payments however, have to be made from the date of possession, which is in accordance with the provisions of the Act. In this case, the possession of the acquired land was actually taken over prior to the date of initiation of the acquisition proceedings. But be that as it may be, the claimants are entitled to all statutory payments including interest only from the date of publication of the notification which in the present case is 20.12.1997. The impugned award, to RFA No. 146 of 2007 the said extent is modified and the appeal is disposed of with the aforesaid observations.” This appeal is accordingly disposed of in terms of the judgment passed in RFA No. 339 of 2006. Let a copy of judgment of that appeal be placed on the record of the case. No order as to costs. (Dev Darshan Sud), 18th December, 2009 Judge. (vs)