ORDER

Leave granted in SLP © Nos. 18543- 45,19947-49,18644 and 18646 of 1995.

2. Notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short, the Act ) was published on 3.9.1973 acquiring 863 bighas of land situated in villages Gumma, Kamli, Dangyar and Ambota in Parwanoo township. The award under Section 11 was made by the Collector on 14.7.1977. He determined the compensation at varying rates between Rs. 14,195/- per bigha and Rs. 500/- per bigha for lands classified into seven categories. On reference under Section 18, the District Judge, Solan by award and decree dated 15.5.1991 uniformly awarded compensation at the uniform rate of Rs.14,195/- per bigha. In Civil Appeal Nos. 8274-83 of 1985, acquisition was made in 1976 but the lands were left out from 1973 notification. On November 9, 1978, the Land Acquisition Collector awarded compensation similar to compensation awarded for 1973 acquisition. Taking into consideration the trend in appreciation of land prices, the District Judge vide award dated May 23, 1991 awarded common price for all categories of land, i.e., Rs. 24.000/- per bigha. On appeal by the State and cross appeals by the claimants, the High Court