THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE GODA RAGHURAM Writ Petition No.2177 of 2003 ORDER: The Writ Petitioners assail the proceedings initiated by the State for acquisition of certain agricultural lands in Sy.Nos.765/1 and 766 in Badveedu Village, Pedda Araveedu Mandal, Prakasam District, under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short, ‘the Act’). 2. Notification under Section 4(1) of the Act was issued on 24-09- 1994 invoking urgency under Section 17 of the Act, dispensing with the enquiry under Section 5-A of the Act and Draft Declaration under Section 6 of the Act was issued on 27-09-1994. Assailing the same, Writ Petition No.18744 of 1994 was filed, which was allowed on 05-10- 2001 invalidating the draft declaration under Section 6 of the Act and directing conduct of enquiry under Section 5-A of the Act. On 09-11-2002, the second respondent issued notice under Section 5- A of the Act calling for objections why the notified lands should not be acquired. On 14-11-2002, the petitioners filed their objections before the second respondent. On 15-12-2002, the first respondent issued a fresh draft declaration under Section 6 of the Act. Petitioners assail the same again by way of this Writ Petition claiming that they are small farmers; that the property to be acquired is not fit for house sites for weaker sections of the community; that there are large extents of Government poramboke lands available in the village, more suitable for house sites and that the need for house sites no longer subsists. 3. In the counter-affidavit filed on behalf of respondents by the second respondent all the above contentions urged by the petitioners are rebutted. It is pleaded that there are no Government lands available in the village for providing house sites; that though the land owner in respect of Sy.No.766 (one of the petitioner’s) is a small farmer, acquisition of this land is inevitable, as the land falls within the alignment of the land identified for providing house sties for weaker sections people and that the need for providing houses continues. 4. Proceedings under the Land Acquisition Act are in the nature of a compulsory purchase of the property. State has asserted the need for this acquisition for providing house sites, which is a public purpose. The petitioners have not made out any case for invalidating this acquisition. There are no merits in the Writ Petition. 5. The Writ Petition is accordingly dismissed. There shall be, however, no order as to costs. ______________ G.RAGHURAM, J. Dated 13-02-2009. SKMR