IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.14796 of 2010 Mantu Kumar gupta, son of Shri Harihar Prasad Gupta, village, Ps and District Araria – Petitioner. Vs. 1) The State of Bihar through the District Magistrate, Araria. 2) The Competent authority cum District Land Acquisition Officer, Araria. 3) The Project Director, National Highway Authority of India, Araria at Purnea – Respondents. 2 8.9.2010 The petitioner is aggrieved by the fact that although the award was prepared by the Land Acquisition Officer cum competent Authority on 21.7.2008, the award amount has not been paid to him. The reason for non-payment of the award amount is not known to this court. Therefore, this court cannot passed any order regarding payment of the amount. However, it is incumbent upon the authorities to pay the award amount or to inform the land holder (the petitioner) the reasons for non-payment. I, therefore, direct that the petitioner may approach the competent authority i.e. the Land Acquisition Officer who shall make payment to the petitioner in accordance with section 3H of the Act within a period of one month from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order. It has specifically been stated that there is no dispute regarding the award amount fixed by the competent authority nor is there any dispute regarding the apportionment of the amount to any third party. In the circumstances this court finds it strange that the petitioner should have to wait for two years and come to this court for payment of the award amount. 2 This writ petition is disposed of with the aforesaid observation and direction. Let a copy of this order be also given to the District Magistrate, Araria for appropriate action. haque ( Sheema Ali Khan, J.)