( 1 ) THE short facts of the case appears to be that the proposals were made for acquisition of the lands for Narmada Canal project Unit 18, Mehsana for the lands situated at Village Tejpura. Thereafter, the notification was published under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") on 10. 2. 1995 in the government Gazette. The notification under section 6 of the Act was published on 29. 6. 1995 and the proceedings under Section 9 of the Act were initiated by the Land acquisition Officer (hereinafter referred to "lao" ). Thereafter the award came to be passed on 1. 11. 1996 by the Special LAO and he awarded the compensation at the rate of rs. 1. 10 per sq. mtr. , for non-irrigated land and Rs. 1. 65 per sq. mtr. , for irrigated land (Rs. 11,000/- per hectre for non-irrigated land and Rs. 16,500/- per hectre for irrigated land ). The land owner/claimants were not satisfied with the compensation award by the LAO and, therefore, the disputes were raised, which ultimately came to be referred to the reference Court for adjudication being reference Cases No. 2684/2003 to 2686/2003. The Reference Court, during the course of the adjudicati