LAW FOR ALL

Damages to the standing crop +The question relating to the value of larger extent of agricultural land, if required to be determined with reference to price fixed for small residential plot, = “When the value of a large extent of agricultural land has to be determined with reference to the price fetched by sale of a small residential plot, it is necessary to make an appropriate deduction towards the development cost, to arrive at the value of the large tract of land. The deduction towards development cost may vary from 20% to 75% depending upon various factors. Even if the acquired lands have situational advantages, the minimum deduction from the market value of a small residential plot, to arrive at the market value of a larger agricultural land, in the usual course, will be in the range of 20% to 25%. In this case, the Collector has himself adopted a 25% deduction which has been affirmed by the Reference Court and the High Court. We, therefore, do not propose to alter it.” Therefore, it is clear that mere reliance made by a Court on sale deeds of smaller residential area for determination of market value of larger agricultural area, the same will not render the determination illegal until and unless it is shown that the determination was not proper. 20. In the instant case, the average value of the sale­deeds relied upon by the Reference Court (Ext.1 and Ext.1/b) was Rs. 401/­ at the time of acquisition. Therefore, as the sale­deeds were in relation to smaller plots, the deduction of 37% was made by the Reference Court and thereafter, by allowing appropriate 10% increase in the value of the land from the date of the sale deeds upto the date of Notification under Section 4 of the Act, the Reference Court arrived at a figure of Rs.250/­ per decimal. The High Court while arriving at figure of Rs. 100/­ per decimal considered only the fact that the sale deeds relied upon were in relation to smaller plots and those sale deeds(Ext.1 and Ext.1/b) were related to homestead land and hence fixed Rs. 10,000/­ per acre as compensation. It completely failed to consider the increase in price of land and the deduction made by the 9Page 10 High Court is nearly 75% which is not in accordance with law. we have no other alternative but to set aside the order passed by the High Court and restore the award passed by the Reference Court.-The respondents are directed to pay the appellant the compensation in terms of the award passed by the Reference Court after adjusting the amount already paid within three months. There shall be no separate order as to costs.