1. This batch of Appeals is directed against the judgment and award passed by the Principal Senior Civil Judge, Surendranagar, dated 9th January 2018 in the Land Reference Case No.16 of 2003 and allied matters. The court below passed an identical judgment and award in each of the Land Reference Cases (LRC) bearing Nos.16 of 2003 to 46 of 2003. The judgment of the reference court, though delivered individually in each of the Land Reference Cases, yet parawise it is identical except the change in the names of the claimants.

2. This batch of Appeals is being decided by this common judgment and order.

3. The lands of village Dharmendragadh, Taluka Muli, District Surendranagar, were acquired by the respondents for the Sabury Irrigation Scheme. The possession of the acquired lands was taken over on 10th August 1996 by the respondents. The preliminary notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (for short, 'the Act') was published on 24th August 1999 and the notification under Section 6 of the Act was published on 19th December 2000. The respondent no.1 - Land Acquisition Officer declared his award on 23rd July 2000 and awarded Rs.1=60 per sq.meter for the non-i