( 1 ) IN this group of 20 applications a common question of condonation of delay on the common ground is involved, therefore, upon request they are being disposed of by this common judgment.

( 2 ) THE condonation of delay in filing First Appeals against the common award of the Reference Court, Ahmedabad, under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (Act), is sought to be condoned inter-alia pleading that there is a delay of 146 days on the part of the applicant - Special Land Acquisition Officer, on the grounds stated, elaborately, in para. 2, which is supported by an affidavit of the officer of the Legal Department of the State of Gujarat. The delay is, therefore, sought to be condoned on the ground of inter and intra departmental procedural delay, since the decision making process for challenging the common award of the Reference Court was to be crystallized, after having consultation and discussions with various departments inter-alia mainly, General Administration, Roads and Building, Finance and Legal Department after the certified copies having been received from the concerned law officers, who conducted the cases at the District level, in view of the provisions of Law