RFA No. 3566 of 1992 (1) In the High Court of Punjab & Haryana at Chandigarh RFA No. 3566 of 1992 (O&M) Date of decision : 20.8.2010 The State of Punjab ..... Appellant vs Gram Panchayat, Malout .... Respondent Coram: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Rajesh Bindal Present: Mr. Yatinder Sharma, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab. Rajesh Bindal J. The State is in appeal before this court against the award of the learned court below passed under Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short, 'the Act') seeking reduction of compensation. Briefly, the facts of the case are that the State of Punjab vide notification dated 21.12.1979 issued under Section 4 of the Act, acquired the land situated within the revenue estate of Malout, District Faridkot, for setting up of New Mandi (Grain Market). The Land Acquisition Collector vide his award dated 8.4.1982 assessed the fair value @ ` 40,000/- per acre for the land abutting Bathinda road upto the depth of 20 karams and ` 30,000/- for the remaining land. Dissatisfied with the award of the Collector, the landowners/claimants filed objections. On reference under Section 18 of the Act, the learned court below on the basis of judgment of this court, Ex. P-3, determined the market value of the land @ ` 2,15,000/- per acre and also awarded benefits under Section 23 (1-A) of the Act vide award dated 6.11.1990. It is this award which is impugned in the present appeal. The only ground on which the judgment of the learned court below is sought to be challenged is that considering the date of award of Collector, benefits under Section 23 (1-A) of the Act, has been wrongly given. Heard learned counsel for the State. The impugned award is dated 6.11.1990. The acquisition was carried out in the year 1979 i.e. 31 years back. The claimant in the present case is Gram Panchayat. About 20 years have elapsed after the grant of compensation under Section 23 (1-A) of the Act. The land in the present case belongs to Gram Panchayat. The amount received by the Gram Panchayat must have been spent by it in the village for the welfare of the people. Without going into the legal issue RFA No. 3566 of 1992 (2) involved in the present appeal and keeping in view the fact that more than 31 years have elapsed after the acquisition and that the Gram Panchayat must have spent the amount on the welfare works of the area, the appeal is dismissed. 20.8.2010 (Rajesh Bindal) vs. Judge