HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE L. NARASIMHA REDDY WRIT PETITION No.7286 of 2002 ORDER: Vast extent of lands in Kotha Kambalapalle and Pulikolu Villages of Podalakur Mandal, Nellore District were notified by invoking the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short ‘the Act’), for the purpose of Telugu Ganga Project. Awards were passed by fixing he value of the lands between Rs.4,000/- and Rs.6,000/- per acre, depending upon the location and nature. Not being satisfied with the amount awarded by the Land Acquisition Officer, the owners of some of the acquired lands sought reference under Section 18 of the Act. References were made to the Court of the Principal Senior Civil Judge, Guntur and they came to be tried in O.P. Nos. 137 of 1987 and 461 of 1988. The trial Court rendered judgment in O.P. No. 137 of 1987 and batch on 19.71997 and enhanced the compensation from Rs.4,000/- to Rs. 6,000/- per acre and from Rs.5,500/- to Rs. 7,400/- per acre. Almost similar result ensued in O.P. No. 461 of 1988. The petitioners are the owners of the lands that were acquired through the same notification, but who did not seek reference. As soon as they came to know about the decrees passed by the trial Court, they made an application under Section 28-A of the Act. Their grievance is that the respondents did not extend the benefit under that provision so far. The 2nd respondent filed a counter affidavit. It is stated that as many as 135 applications were filed under Section 28-A in the light of the judgment rendered by the trial Court in the O.Ps. referred to above, and out of them, 117 cases have already been disposed of extending the benefit of enhancement. As regards the balance of 18 cases, the process is said to be on. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Government Pleader for the Land Acquisition. The petitioners intended to avail the benefit under Section 28-A of the Act. It is no doubt true that there was some delay on the part of the respondents in processing the applications. The fact however remains that subsequent to the filing of the writ petition, hundreds of applications were dealt with and by December, 2009, only 18 cases were left to be decided. The verification of several facts, such as, the nature and extend of land, the date on which the application is filed etc., need to be verified. Hence, the writ petition is disposed of directing that such of the cases presented by the petitioners under Section 28-A of the Act, which are yet to be disposed of, shall be considered and appropriate orders be passed within a period of two months from the date of receipt a copy of this order. There shall be no order as to costs. _______________________ L. NARASIMHA REDDY,J Date: 11th March, 2010 pnb