JUDGMENT :

P.C.:

1. Mr. Terence Vaz holding for Mr. Joseph Vaz states that they no longer appear on behalf of the appellant in this matter. Mr. Raviraj Chodankar learned Standing Counsel for the Central Government states that he has no instructions to appear on behalf of the appellant. Ms. Sapna Mordekar learned Additional Government Advocate appears on behalf of Respondent No.2.

2. This is an appeal of the year 2013 and therefore, it will not be appropriate to adjourn this matter any further.

3. In this appeal, the appellant (Acquiring Department) questions the Judgment and Award dated 29.10.2012 made by the Reference Court in Land Acquisition Case No.79/2003 enhancing the market rate from Rs.54/- per sq. mtr. to Rs.360/- per sq.mtr. as against the claim of the claimant of Rs.1500/- per sq.mtr.

4. In this case, the claimant's land admeasuring 1700 sq.mtrs. situated at Bogmalo, Goa was acquired for setting up of a telephone exchange. The Section 4 notification in this regard was issued on 04.04.2001. The Land Acquisition Officer (LAO) determined the market rate at Rs.54/- per sq.mtr. and by the impugned Judgment and Award the Reference Court has enhanced this to Rs.360/- per sq.mtr.

5. In the memo of appeal, the appellant alleges that the impugned award is not in accord with the directions given in Judgment and Order dated 29.11.2011 in First Appeal No.273/2006 and Cross-Objections No.5/2007 by which the matter was remanded to the Reference Court for reconsideration.

6. This Court, vide its Judgment and Order dated 29.11.2011 had quashed the earlier award made by the Reference Court determining the market rate at Rs.200/- per sq.mtr. because this Court found that the Reference Court had not given any reasons as to why the sale instances relied upon by the claimants were not comparable with the acquired land or otherwise take into account the rate reflected in these sale transactions for determining the market rate of the acquired land.

7. From the perusal of the impugned award, this time, the lacuna which was pointed out by this Court in its Judgment and Order dated 29.11.2011 appears to have been remedied. This time, the Reference Court has taken into consideration some of the sale instances and has rejected others. However, what is important is reasons are available on record for this exercise. Therefore, there is no merit in the ground raised about the non-compliance with the directions issued in the Judgment and Order dated 29.11.2011.

8. In the appeal memo, thereafter general grounds have been raised as to how the determination by the Reference Court is erroneous. However, the main ground appears to be that the sale transactions relied upon by the claimants were not in respect of comparable instances, and in any case, property deductions have not been made and therefore, the impugned award is vitiated. This is clear from grounds VII, VIII, IX, X, and XII.

9. There is another ground (Ground No. XVI) that speaks about the error in awarding solatium and interest. The provisions of the Land Acquisition Act provide for the award of solatium and interest at the prescribed rates. The Reference Court by referring to these statutory provisions has awarded the claimants these statutory benefits. There is no error and consequently, there is no merit in Ground No.XVI.

10. As noted earlier the main ground is about the comparability of the sale instances and making of appropriate deductions.

11. There is evidence in this case (AW1) that the acquired land is located on a plateau that commands a spectacular view of the Arabian Sea on account of which the acquired land can be said to be located in an area that is much in demand for residential as well as commercial purposes. There is evidence that the acquired land was quite flat and no additional or at least significantly additional expenditure was necessary for development and construction. There is evidence that the acquired land was accessible along its entire northern side by a public road and i