This writ petition is filed by the petitioners challenging the order issued by the first respondent under section 4(1) of the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Harijan Welfare Schemes Act, 1978 (Act 31/78) (in short, "the Act") in respect of the following properties said to have belonged to various petitioners, situate at Naanamadai village, Aakavayal, Elayangudi Taluk, Sivagangai District, as published in the District Gazette dated 26. 1998:

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2. The petitioners are said to be the owners of various extent of properties in survey numbers stated above and are all small farmers. According to the petitioners, the Government has already acquired lands for providing house sites to Adi Dravidars of Naanamadai village and already 40 houses have been constructed and even in respect of those lands acquired, there are excess vacant lands available. According to the petitioners, some of the beneficiaries have sold away the lands allotted to them and therefore, the present acquisition is not actually for the need of Harijans. The first respondent, District Collector has issued notification under section 4(1) of the Act 31/78 without notice issued under section 4(2) of the said