1. Both the above appeals are directed against the Judgment and Award, dated 31/10/2002, passed by the learned Additional District Judge, North Goa, Panaji (Reference Court), in Land Acquisition Case No. 76 of 1998.

2. Parties shall hereinafter be referred to in the manner in which they appear in the cause title of Land Acquisition Case No. 76 of 1998.

3. Facts giving rise to the appeal, in short, may be stated as under:

Vide notification issued under section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (“L. A. Act”, for short) published in the Official Gazette dated 07/01/1991, Government acquired land for the purpose of improvement and B/T of Parampoi road upto Atchutwada in Ponda Taluka and this included a portion of the land admeasuring 700 square metres from survey holding number 505/1 of Village Marcaim, which belonged to the applicants.

4. By Award dated 30/07/1993, the Land Acquisition Officer (L.A.O.) offered compensation at the rate of Rs. 10/-per square metre to the acquired land. The original applicant, not being satisfied with the said offer, sought reference under section 18 of the L. A. Act claiming enhancement of compensation at the rate of Rs. 300/-per square me