THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE GODA RAGHURAM AND THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR L.A.A.S.NO.267 OF 2007 & CROSS-OBJECTIONS (SR) NO.5960 OF 2007 AND L.A.A.S.NO.277 OF 2007 & CROSS-OBJECTIONS (SR) NO.5959 OF 2007 DATED 21ST DECEMBER, 2010 L.A.A.S.NO.267 OF 2007 & CROSS-OBJECTIONS (SR) NO.5960 OF 2007 BETWEEN The Special Deputy Collector, (LAO), Telugu Ganga Project, Nandyal. … Appellant/ Referring Officer And Smt.Jaithun Bi … Respondent L.A.A.S.NO.277 OF 2007 & CROSS-OBJECTIONS (SR) NO.5959 OF 2007 BETWEEN The Special Deputy Collector, (LAO), Telugu Ganga Project, Nandyal. … Appellant/ Referring Officer And Bariga Mahaboob Khan … Respondent THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE GODA RAGHURAM AND THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE SANJAY KUMAR L.A.A.S.NO.267 OF 2007 & CROSS-OBJECTIONS (SR) NO.5960 OF 2007 AND L.A.A.S.NO.277 OF 2007 & CROSS-OBJECTIONS (SR) NO.5959 OF 2007 COMMON JUDGMENT: (Per GR,J) Heard the learned Government Pleader for Appeals for the appellants. There is no representation on behalf of the respondents/claimants who filed Cross-Objections though the name of Sri P.Vengala Reddy is reflected in the cause list. The State appeals are directed against the common order dated 14.10.2004 of the reference Court of the learned Senior Civil Judge, Atmakur, in O.P.Nos.524 and 526 of 1999. The extent of lands acquired under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 is Ac.0.93 cents in the first of the appeals and Ac.0.46 cents in the second appeal. The lands were acquired for the Telugu Ganga Project. The Land Acquisition Officer, after due enquiry, by the Award dated 05.08.1985 determined the market value of the acquired lands at Rs.9,000/- per acre. Aggrieved, the claimants sought a reference. In O.P.Nos.526 of 1999 and 524 of 1999, the learned reference Court determined the market at Rs.20,000/- per acre and granted consequent statutory benefits on that basis. For enhancing the value, the learned reference Court relied on Ex.A.1 a copy of the decree in O.P.No.958 of 1988 wherein the Civil Court had determined the compensation for dry land of Velgodu Village at Rs.20,000/- per acre enhancing the compensation that was awarded by the Land Acquisition Officer at Rs.9,000/- per acre. The learned reference Court recorded that the land covered by O.P.No.958 of 1988 and those covered by O.P.Nos.526 of 1999 and 524 of 1999 (against which the present appeals arise) are substantially similar in all relevant aspects and were dry lands and therefore the valuation of the market value determined in O.P.No.958 of 1988 constitutes a reliable guide for determination of the market value in the present references. It is also recorded by the reference Court that as against the Award in O.P.No.958 of 1988 the State preferred an appeal which was dismissed by this Court and the market value determined by the reference Court was confirmed. In view of the fact that in respect of similar lands in Velgodu Village acquired for the same purpose though under a different notification, the reference Court had determined the market value at Rs.20,000/- per acre which value was confirmed in appeal by this Court and this being the principle adopted for enhancement of the market value by the reference Court under the Orders under appeal, no case is made out for appellate interference. The Appeals are accordingly dismissed. The Cross-Objections are dismissed for default as there is no representation on behalf of the Cross-Objectors. No order as to costs. _______________________ GODA RAGHURAM, J. ____________________ SANJAY KUMAR, J. 21ST DECEMBER, 2010. VGSR /PGS