THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE V.V.S.RAO WRIT PETITION No.8503 of 2001 20.2.2008 Between: N.Chenga Reddy, S/o.Sidda Reddy And another … Petitioners and Land Acquisition Officer-and-Revenue Divisional Officer, Chittoor, Chittoor District … Respondent THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE V.V.S.RAO WRIT PETITION No.8503 of 2001 ORDER: Two petitioners are residents of Chinnapapannapalle village of S.R. Puram Mandal in Chittoor District. First petitioner is owner of land admeasuring Acs.0.76 and second petitioner is owner of land admeasuring Acs.1.00 comprised in survey No.339/1 of Sri Siddeswaraswamy Konda, Vinjam village of Gangadhara Nellore Mandal in Chittoor District. The lands were acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (the Act, for brevity) for provision of house sites to weaker sections. Award No.2/97-98 was passed on 12.6.1997. Petitioners contend that notice of Award under Section 12(2) of the Act was given on 25.7.1997, and not satisfied with compensation awarded at Rs.7,683/- for first petitioner and Rs.9,604/- for second petitioner, they submitted application under Section 18 of the Act on 02.9.1997 seeking reference. The same was rejected by impugned endorsement dated 08.1.2000, aggrieved by which the present writ petition is filed. Though the matter was admitted by this Court on 19.4.2002, counter affidavit is not filed. Along with writ petition, petitioners have filed Xerox copy of notice of Award under Section 12(2) of the Act bearing No.Roc.F/1443/96, dated 25.7.1997. This would certainly strengthen case of petitioners that notice of Award was issued on 25.7.1997. Therefore application made by petitioners on 02.9.1997 seeking reference, is within time as per Section 18(2) of the Act. This aspect of the matter has not been traversed, by filing counter affidavit. In view of the above, the writ petition is disposed of, directing respondent to consider representation of petitioners dated 02.9.1997 and refer the matter to civil Court of competent jurisdiction under Section 18 of the Act. This exercise may be completed within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. No costs. ______________ February 20, 2008 (V.V.S.RAO, J) YS