Hon’ble Ashok Bhushan, J.—These two writ petitions have been filed challenging the notifications dated 22nd May, 2006 issued under Section 4 read with Section 17(1) and 17(4) as well as declaration dated 31st May, 2006 issued under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act (hereinafter referred to as the Act) for acquiring the agricultural land of the petitioners situate in village Benasirpura alias Ghatampura, Tehsil Sadar, District Rampur.

2. Counter and rejoinder-affidavits have been exchanged in Writ Petition No. 31224 of 2006 which is being treated as leading writ petition.

3. Brief facts giving rise to the writ petitions are; a notification under Section 4(1) read with Sections 17(1) and 17(4) of the Act was issued proposing to acquire 3.989 hectares of land situate in village Benasirpura alias Ghatampura for public purpose, namely, sewage treatment plant in district Rampur. The notification was published in Hindi Daily “Amar Ujala” on 24th May, 2006 and also in in Urdu Daily. The declaration under Section 6 was issued on 31st May, 2006. The notice under Section 9 of the Act was issued on 3rd June, 2006 inviting objections to be filed by 17th June, 2006 regarding the land