THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY Writ Petition No.20851 of 2010 ORDER: The lands of the petitioners, admeasuring Ac.11.50 cents in Sy.Nos.873/1 & 874 of Julakallu Village, Piduguralla Mandal, Guntur District were acquired, through a notification dated 22-04-1988, issued under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act (for short ‘the Act’), and declaration dated 05-10-1988 was published under Section 6 of the Act. Award was passed on 31-03-1990, fixing the market value of the land at Rs.5,000/- per acre. On a reference made under Section 18 of the Act, at the instance of the petitioners, the Court of Senior Civil Judge, Gurazala, took up the matter as L.A.O.P.No.199 of 1995. Through the order and decree dated 28-02-1998, the compensation awarded by the Land Acquisition Officer was affirmed. The petitioner carried the matter in appeal by filing A.S.No.920 of 1998 before this Court. Through the judgment and decree dated 08-06-2000, this Court enhanced the compensation from Rs.5,000/- to Rs.35,000/- per acre and directed that the additional market value shall be calculated with effect from 11-11-1977, from the date on which, the possession of the land was taken. The grievance of the petitioners is that though repeated representations have been made to the respondents, compensation has not been paid, as yet. On behalf of the respondents, the Land Acquisition Officer, the 3rd respondent, filed counter-affidavit. The fact that the compensation was enhanced by this Court, and that the amount was not paid; is admitted. The ground pleaded is that the social welfare department, at whose instance the land was acquired, did not make the funds available. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and learned Government Pleader for Land Acquisition. The respondents have exhibited their persistence and resolve to acquire the lands of the petitioners, at any cost. The notification under Section 4(1) of the Act was published on 22-04-1988. Advance possession of the land was taken. The notification, however, was set aside by this Court in W.P.No.7882 of 1985, filed by the father of the petitioners. Fresh notification was issued, hardly within days from the date of the judgment of this Court. The petitioners got reconciled to the acquisition and made efforts to seek enhancement of compensation. Though the Civil Court, to which reference under Section 18 of the Act was made, did not award any enhancement, this Court enhanced the compensation to Rs.35,000/- per acre. There cannot be any justification to the respondents in not paying the enhanced compensation. On account of non-payment, the public exchequer is burdened; the interest, not only on the compensation, but also on the solatium and additional market value has to be paid for each passing year. Strictly speaking, the authorities, who remained indifferent, must be held responsible. Hence, the writ petition is allowed, and the respondents are directed to deposit the amount, enhanced by this Court, through the judgment dated 08-06-2000, in A.S.No.920 of 1998 to the credit of L.A.O.P.No.199 of 1995 on the file of the Court of Senior Civil Judge, Gurazala, within three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The miscellaneous petition filed in this writ petition also shall stand disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. ______________________ L.NARASIMHA REDDY, J Dt: 28-03-2012 KO