By consent of both parties, the writ petition itself is taken up for final disposal.

2. Prayer in this writ petition is to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to complete the acquisition proceedings by passing an award for payment of compensation in pursuance of Section 4(1) notification No.2 dated 3. 1996 issued under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Lands for Adi Dravidar Welfare Act, 1978, and published in the Ramanathapuram District Gazette.

3. The brief facts necessary for disposal of the writ petition are as follows:

(a) An extent of 2.03.50 H of lands situate in Ward C Block 11, T.S.No.1/2A, Soorankottai Village, Ramanathapuram Taluk and an extent of 0.660.0 H in Ward C, Block 11, T.S.No.3/1 of the said village and Taluk belonging to the petitioners were acquired by the respondents by issuing notification under section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, on 5. 1995 and the same was published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette and also in the local News Papers. When the said 4(1) notification was in force, the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Lands for Adi Dravidar Welfare Act, 1978 (Act 31 of 1978) after the same was upheld by the Supreme Court, came i