The Court directs authorities to process land acquisition rewards and compensation within a stipulated time period in accordance with law.

Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein to pass the final award and disburse the compensation to petitioner for the lands comprised in S.F. Nos. 194/5,194/6A, 194/4B and 135/4 situated at Sathiyamangalam Village, Kulithalai Taluk, Karur District in accordance with Sections 26 and 27 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 by taking into account the guideline value fixed by the Sub- Registrar, Kulithalai and the circular issued in M2/7304/2018 dated 16.10.2020 within stipulated time fixed by this Court.

ORDER

The present Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to pass the final award and disburse the compensation to petitioner for the lands comprised in S.F.Nos.194/5, 194/6A, 194/4B and 135/4 situated at Sathiyamangalam Village, Kulithalai Taluk, Karur District in accordance with Sections 26 and 27 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 by taking into account the guideline value fixed by the Sub-Registrar, Kulithalai and the circular issued in M2/7304/2018 dated 16.10.2020 within stipulated time fixed by this Court.

2. According to the petitioner, the petitioner is the rightful owners of the property in S.F. Nos.194/5, 194/6A, 194/4B and 135/4 situated at Sathiyamangalam Village, Kulithalai Taluk, Karur District. The Government proposed to acquire the subject property for the purpose of implementing the Cauvery-Vaigai-Kundaru Linking Canal Project. Thereafter, the Government issued notification under Section 13(1), dated 29.12.2021 and pursuant to the said notification, an enquiry was conducted as contemplated under the Act. In response to the said notice, the petitioner appeared for the enquiry and produced all the relevant documents before the respondents. He further submitted that MVG was fixed as Rs.130/- sq. ft., for the subject property at the time of issuance of the notification. Though the enquiry was completed in the year 2023 itself, even after the expiry of more than two and a half years, the first respondent has not passed the award in respect of the said land. Hence, the present Writ Petition.

3. The learned Additional Government Pleader for the respondents submits that the petitioner's representation will be considered on its merits and in accordance with law.

4. Recording the above submission and without expressing any opinion on the merits of the matter, this Writ Petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondents 1 and 2 to enquire into the matter on the basis of the petitioner’s representation and to provide compensation as per petitioner's entitlement on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of sixteen weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The respondents 1 and 2 are directed to afford a reasonable opportunity of hearing to the petitioner and any other interested parties who may be affected by such decision, before passing final orders. There shall be no order as to costs.