V.K. Bali, J. (Oral) - Whereas, aggrieved by inadequate compensation assessed by learned District Judge vide order dated 13.12.1986, the claimant-appellants have filed Regular First Appeal bearing No. 948 of 1987, aggrieved by the same very judgment, Cross Objections bearing No. 65-CI of 1987 have been filed by the State of Punjab seeking restoration of the compensation awarded by learned Land Acquisition Collector. Both, the appeal and the cross objections, thus, need to be decided together.

2. The minimum, but necessary, facts that have given rise to the present appeal and the cross objections reveal that the Government of Punjab, in its Irrigation and Power Department issued notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (hereinafter referred to as the Act) on 29.9.1983 for a public purpose, i.e., for construction of Oxidation Pond for disposal of effluent for Central Colony, Anandpur Sahib. In due course of time, follow up declaration under Section 6 of the Act came into being and then award of the Land Acquisition Collector dated 18.12.1984 assessing the market value of the land, subject matter of acquisition, at the rate of Rs. 14,966/- per acre. On re