( 1 ) DELAY condoned. Leave granted.

( 2 ) THOUGH notice has been served on all the respondents, none appears either in person or through counsel in all appeals.

( 3 ) NOTIFICATION under Section 4 (1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short, the Act) was published on 18/12/1980 acquiring large extent of lands for the prupose of irrigation dam No. 2 Project. The land owners had given their cosent in writing on 11/03/1983 agreeing to accept the compensation determined by the Land Acquisition Officer and 25 per cent more thereof and also agreed not to seek any reference under Section 18. The market value was determined by the Collector on 25/03/1983, and 25 per cent in addition thereto was awarded. Respondents were paid in terms of the consent agreements signed by the respondents and sanctioned by the Superintending Engineer, Rajkot. Subsequent thereto, the respondent sought for reference under Section 1 8/04/1986. The Assistant Judge, Rajkot by his award and decree dated 29/06/1991 enhanced compensation to the rate of Rs. 200. 00 per acre for Bagayat land and Rs. 140. 00 per acre for Jirayat land. Feeling aggrieved, when the appellants filed appeals, the Gujarat High Court confi