1. In this writ petition the petitioner, inter alia, has prayed for issuance of writ of or in the nature of certiorari for quashing the order and direction passed by the respondent Commissioner by which he has reduced the rate of compensation decided by the Collector as proposed by the Land Acquisition Officer and its consequential award-cum-notice as contained in Annexures-5 and 6.

2. The facts of the case lie in a very narrow compass.

3. Admittedly, the lands which belonged, to the petitioner had been acquired in a proceeding initiated under the Land Acquisition Act bearing Land Acquisition Case No. L.A. 1 of 1983-84. The Land Acquisition Officer granted compensation to the petitioner at the rate of Rs. 98,750.00 per acre. The said matter was referred to the Additional Collector (Land Revenue), Bhagalpur, who after examining the matter also agreed to the proposal of Special. Land Acquisition Officer and sent the matter for approval to the Collector. By an order dated 25-8-1987 the Collector of the district also approved the grant of compensation at the rate of Rs. 98,750.00 per acre.

4. However, the Commissioner of Bhagalpur Division issued a letter directing the Collecto