judgment

C.K. Thakker, J. —

1.The present appeals are filed against an order passed by the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Madras (State Commission for short) on July 24, 1995 in Original Petition Nos. 143-149 of 1995 and confirmed by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, New Delhi (National Commission for short) on February 25, 2002 in First Appeal Nos. 500-506 of 1995.

2.Shortly stated the facts are that the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (hereinafter referred to as the Board) was constituted under the Tamil Nadu Housing Board Act, 1961 (Act 17 of 1961). The primary object of creation of the Housing Board was to acquire land in the neighbourhood areas of developed cities at a reasonable price and to construct tenements, houses and flats thereon for providing residential accommodation to needy people of different income groups and categories. In the year 1982, vast piece of land admeasuring about 28 acres of Thiruvamiyer, Chennai was acquired by the State of Tamil Nadu under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 for a public purpose, viz. for the development of the area known as South Madras Neighbourhood Scheme. On February 27, 1991 the Board approved a proposal to c