( 1 ) ADMIT. In this group of eight appeals, the service is waived by learned Advocate Mr. A. J. Patel for the respondents-original claimants, by learned a. G. P. Mr. Mukesh Patel for Spl. Land Acq. Officer in F. A. Nos. 5137 of 1996 to 5141 of 1996 and by learned G. P. Mr. P. G. Desai, for Spl. Land Acq. Officer in f. A. Nos. 5134 of 1996 to 5136 of 1996. Upon joint request, the entire group of eight appeals is taken up today for final hearing. In view of the fact that the common questions are involved arising out of common award and common notification, they are being disposed of by this common judgment simultaneously.

( 2 ) THE appellant O. N. G. C. is the original opponent No. 2, has questioned the legality and validity of the two common judgments and eight awards arising out of land Acq. Case Nos. 772 to 779 of 1991. The aforesaid eight Land Acq. Cases were heard upon a reference, by the District Court, Ahmedabad (Rural) and recorded two judgments which are under challenge in this group of eight appeals. Thus, as there were eight Land Acq. Cases out of which Land Acq. Case Nos. 777, 778 and 779 all of 1991 (three cases) came to be decided by the District Court b