HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE V.ESWARAIAH AND HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K.S.APPA RAO APPEAL SUIT No. 1872 of 2000 JUDGMENT: (per Honourable Sri Justice K.S.Appa Rao) Aggrieved by the judgment and decree in L.A.O.P.No.56 of 1988 dated 29.06.1998 on the file of the Principal Senior Civil Judge, Srikakulam, the present appeal is filed. An extent of Ac.4.00 in Patha Srikakulam belonging to the claimants was acquired for construction of Government Women’s College Employees Quarters pursuant to the notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (the Act) dated 12.01.1983. The Land Acquisition Officer, after due enquiry, awarded compensation of Rs.96,800/- per acre. Based on a request made by the claimants, the matter was referred to the Reference Court. The claim of the claimants is that the land was useful for the house sites and there were residential houses around the land and sought for enhancement of compensation. The Reference Court, after due enquiry, enhanced the compensation to Rs.1,30,000/-. Aggrieved by the same, the present appeal is filed. Learned Government Pleader for Appeals mainly contended that the Reference Court without any documentary evidence, awarded compensation of Rs.1,30,000/- which is erroneous and not sustainable. The points for consideration is whether the order of the Reference Court in enhancing the compensation from Rs.96,800/- to Rs.1,30,000/- is just and reasonable and the impugned order is sustainable. Before the Reference Court, on behalf of the claimants RWs.1 to 4 were examined and got marked Exs.B.1 to B.30. On behalf of the Referring Officer, RW.1 was examined and got marked Exs.A.1 to A.25. The Reference Court enhanced the compensation of the acquired land from Rs.96,800/- to Rs.1,30,000/- relying on Ex.B.1, dated 07.03.1999, sale transaction reflecting the sale at Rs.2,00,000/- per acre. The acquired lands belong to RWs.1 to 4. They are all small farmers having very meagre extents of land. Admittedly, the land in question was acquired for house sites meant for Government Women’s College Employees Quarters. So it can be said without slightest doubt that the lands acquired also assumes importance and could fetch market rate for house sites. Admittedly the acquired lands are located at Patha Srikakulam. In the evidence, it was elicited that the acquired lands were situated at half kilometre from the commercial banks and RTC bus stand, much less nearer to the Courts. The documentary evidence, Ex.A.1 i.e. sketch prepared by the Land Acquisition Officer, is also self-explanatory. Therefore, in the totality of the circumstances, the finding of the Reference Court enhancing compensation from Rs.96,800/- to Rs.1,30,000/- relying on Ex.B.1 is reasonable and apt. In any view of the matter, We see no reason to differ with the findings of the Reference Court. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed. V.ESWARAIAH,J K.S.APPA RAO,J Date:05.12.2011 usd