CWP/2887/2017 on 31 December 2018

IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA

CWP No. 2887 of 2017 Decided on: 31.12.2018 Ajeet Singh Dewan and others …Petitioners Versus State of Himachal Pradesh and others …Respondents

Coram

The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Chief Justice. The Hon'ble Mr. Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioners: Mr. Virender Thakur, Advocate. For the respondents: Mr. Ashok Sharma, Advocate General, with Mr. Ranjan Sharma, Mr. Adarsh Sharma, Mr. Ashwani K. Sharma and Mr. Nand Lal Thakur, Additional Advocate Generals. Surya Kant, Chief Justice. (Oral) The petitioners are residents of different villages in Tehsil Barsar, District Hamirpur. Their land has been acquired by State of Himachal Pradesh, Department of 1 Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment?

Public Works, through Notification issued under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 (since repealed). It appears that the Land Acquisition Collector sent the draft Award for approval of the State Government on 17th April, 2012 and since then, the matter remained pending before the Competent Authority.

2. Meanwhile, the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (hereinafter referred to as 'Act of 2013') has come into force. The petitioners rely upon Section 24 (1) (a) of the said Act to urge that since no Award was passed till the Act of 2013 came into force, they are entitled to compensation in accordance with the above­mentioned provision of the New Act of 2013.

3. It is also the case of the petitioners that the respondents have already taken possession of the acquired land and utilized it for the public purpose of acquisition. Unfortunately, no compensation whatsoever has been paid to the petitioners so far.

4. In these circumstances, what appears to be most appropriate is that the respondents must pass an Award in accordance with law. Ordered accordingly. Let the Award be passed within a period of two months from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

5. It is made clear that if the respondents­ Authorities decide to pass the Award under the Old Act, it will be without prejudice to the rights of the petitioners to claim compensation in accordance with Section 24 (1) (a) of the Act of 2013. Similarly, without prejudice to such rights, they will be entitled to seek Reference for enhancement of the compensation.

6. The writ petition is disposed of in above terms. Pending miscellaneous applications, if any, also stand disposed of accordingly. (Surya Kant) Chief Justice

(Ajay Mohan Goel) Judge December 31, 2018 ( rajni )