JUDGMENT

R.C. Lahoti, J.-In the early eighties large tracts of land were acquired in the State of Orissa by invoking the provisions of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 for establishing an aluminium smelter plant and other ancillary industries, civil township and supporting services. For the purpose of assessing the compensation to be awarded to several land-owners whose land was acquired an assessment report was called by the Land Acquisition Officer. The land consists of two kinds : (i) Sarad-I Dofasali, and (ii) Taila. During the course of hearing we were told by the learned counsel for the parties that in the local language a fertile or cultivated land is called Sarad and Sarad-I Dofasali land is one on which two crops can be taken. Taila is a barren land. The assessment report appointed the value of cultivable land at Rs. 12,500/- per acre and of barren land at Rs. 7,500/- per acre. On 27.5.1982 the Collector of District Dhenkanal, where the land is situated, addressed a letter to the Divisional Commissioner stating that the rates of land appointed by the assessment report were on the lower side and he recommended that Rs. 22,000/- and Rs. 12,500/- respectively per acre would be reaso