RFA No. 214 of 1992 (1) In the High Court of Punjab & Haryana at Chandigarh RFA No. 214 of 1992 (O&M) Date of decision : 21.12.2010 Surjan Singh and others ... Appellants vs State of Punjab ..... Respondent Coram: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Rajesh Bindal Present: None for the landowners. Mr. Yatinder Sharma, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab. Rajesh Bindal J. This order shall dispose of Regular First Appeal Nos. 214 to 223, 716 to 727 of 1992, arising out of same acquisition. The landowners have filed the appeals seeking enhancement of compensation for the acquired land, whereas State of Punjab seeking reduction thereof. Briefly, the facts are that the State of Punjab vide notification dated 20.8.1982 issued under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short, `the Act'), acquired land situated in the revenue estate of village Marraru, Hadbast No. 57, Tehsil Nabha, District Patiala, for construction of Sirhind Choe from RD 419130 to 518952. The Land Acquisition Collector (for short, `the Collector') announced his award on 23.9.1986 assessed the compensation for the acquired land @ ` 20,000/- per acre for chahi kind of land. Against the award of the Collector, the respondent filed objections which were referred to the learned Court below for consideration, who keeping in view the material placed on record by the parties, awarded compensation of ` 32,000/- per acre for the acquired land. Aggrieved against the award of the learned court below, both the parties are in appeal before this court. None appeared for the landowners at the time of hearing. A perusal of the paper-book shows that the learned court below had assessed the market value of the acquired land @ ` 32,000/- per acre on the basis of evidence led by the landowners in the form of award dated 21.11.1983, Ex. A-3, for the acquisition of land of village Bhari Panaichan which was acquired vide notification dated 20.8.1982. The land of village Bhari Panaichan adjoins land of village Marraru. RFA No. 214 of 1992 (2) Considering the fact that the acquisition in the present set of appeals had taken place more than 28 years back and the market value of the acquired land was assessed on the basis of award relied upon by the landowners of neighbouring village, prima facie, I do not find any reason to interfere therein at this stage. Accordingly, the appeals filed by the State are dismissed. However, as no one has appeared for the landowners, the appeals filed by them are dismissed in default. 21.12.2010 ( Rajesh Bindal) vs. Judge