IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. C.W.P. No.2181 of 2009 Date of decision: 11.2.2009 Sanjeev Kumar and others. -----Petitioners Vs. State of Punjab and others. -----Respondents CORAM:- HON'BLE MR JUSTICE ADARSH KUMAR GOEL HON'BLE MR JUSTICE JITENDRA CHAUHAN Present:- Mr. S.S. Rathore, Advocate for the petitioners. ----- ORDER: This petition seeks a direction for quashing of acquisition proceedings and to restore the possession of the land to the petitioners and alternatively, for a direction to pay the balance 20% of the amount of compensation or to pay market value of land on the date of award. Case of the petitioners is that their land was acquired in pursuance of notifications dated 12.10.2004 and 15.2.2005 under Sections 4 and 6 respectively of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short, “the Act”). Since urgency provisions were invoked, 80% amount of compensation was paid under Section 17(3A) of the Act and C.W.P. No.2181 of 2009 possession taken in the year 2005. The remaining amount was not being paid. Learned counsel for the petitioners does not dispute that where urgency provisions are invoked and 80% compensation paid, statutory time for announcement of award is not applicable. Reference may also be made to law laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Allahabad Development Authority v. Nasiruzzaman and others 1996(6) SCC 424. Thus, we do not find any ground to hold that proceedings for acquisition lapsed on account of delay in making award. However, we find merit in the contention that the remaining 20% of the amount of compensation has to be paid and the same cannot be delayed for indefinite period, possession of land having already been taken. We, accordingly, direct respondent No.1 to ensure that remaining payment of 20% of the amount of compensation is made within three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The petition is disposed of. ( ADARSH KUMAR GOEL ) JUDGE February 11, 2009 ( JITENDRA CHAUHAN ) ashwani JUDGE 2