Ratna Kanta Nath and 17 Ors v. The State of Assam and 7 Ors

ORDER Date : 01-03-2024 Heard Mr. N. Borah, learned counsel for the petitioners; Ms. N. Bordoloi, learned Standing Counsel, Revenue & Disaster management Department for the respondent nos. 1 & 2; Mr. S. Baruah, learned Junior Government Advocate, Assam for the respondent nos. 3, 4 & 5; Ms. R. Borah, learned Standing Counsel, National Highway Authority of India for the respondent no. 6; and Mr. R.K. Talukdar, learned Standing Counsel, National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. for the respondent nos. 7 & 8.

¶2The petitioners, 18 [eighteen] in nos., have preferred this writ petition stating that they have a common cause of action to espouse. It is the case of the petitioners that their parcels of land have been acquired by an acquisition process initiated under the provisions of the National Highways Act, 1956 for the purpose of a project, 'Construction of 4 laning of National Highway in Sonitpur District'. In the process of such acquisition, different amounts of compensation are shown to have been assessed in the estimate prepared under Section 3G of the National Highways Act, 1956 in favour of the petitioners. As the petitioners' parcels of land are shown valuation only at Rs. 1,15,000/- per bigha, the petitioners are aggrieved on the premise that the present market value of those parcels of land are much higher at Rs. 13,00,000/- per bigha. Aggrieved by such lesser amount of compensation awarded in their favour on the basis of such lesser valuation of the petitioners' parcels of land in the said acquisition process, the petitioners have preferred an application under Section 3G[5] of the Page No.# 7/9 National Highways Act, 1956 before the then Commissioner, North Assam Division, Tezpur, who was appointed as Arbitrator by the Central Government under Section 3G[5] of the National Highways Act, 1956. It is the case of the petitioners that their application before the Arbitrator has been registered and numbered as Appeal Case no. 18/2022. As during the subsequent period, the post of Commissioner of Divisions in Assam including the office of the Commissioner, North Assam Division, came to be abolished by a Notification dated 17.07.2023 of the General Administration Department, Government of Assam, the petitioners have approached this Court on the ground that in the absence of Arbitrator there will be delay in disposal of their application, Appeal Case no. 18/2022.

¶3A Notification bearing no. S.O.805[E] of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India issued on 21.02.2024 has been placed on record. On perusal of the said Notification, it is noticed that the said notification has been issued in pursuance of sub-section [5] of Section 3G of the National Highways Act, 1956 whereby the Central Government has appointed the officer mentioned in column [2] of Table therein, to be the Arbitrator under sub-section [5] of Section 3G of the National Highways Act, 1956. The Notification has further indicated that the officer so appointed shall exercise the powers conferred and perform the duties entrusted on an Arbitrator under the National Highways Act, 1956 within the local limits of his respective jurisdiction as specified in column [3] & [4] of the Table. It has further mentioned that sub-section [6] and sub-section [7] of Section 3G of the National Highways Act, 1956 shall be taken into consideration by the Arbitrator while passing the Awards. The relevant excerpts of the Notification is quoted here-under :- Page No.# 8/9 MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 21st February, 2024 S.O.805[E]. – In pursuance of sub-section [5] of Section 3G of the National Highways Act, 1956 [48 of 1956], the Central Government hereby appoints the Officer mentioned in column [2] of the Table below, to be Arbitrator for the purpose of the said sub-section, who shall exercise the powers conferred and perform the duties imposed, on an Arbitrator by or under the said Act within the local limits of his respective jurisdiction as specified in column [3] and [4] of the said Table. Sub-Section [6] & [7] of Section – 3G of the Act shall be taken into consideration while passing awards by the Arbitrator. TABLE Sl. No. Designation of the Officer Revenue District State [1] [2] [3] [4] Special Secretary to Govt of Assam Sonitpur Assam

¶4With the appointment of the Arbitrator in respect of the National Highway project within the district of Sonitpur, the common grievance raised by the petitioners herein is found to be effectively redressed. In order to facilitate the Arbitrator so appointed, to deal with the arbitration proceedings, Appeal Case no. 18/2022 relating to the application[s] of the petitioners, the State respondent authorities shall transmit the records of the concerned arbitration proceeding of the petitioners herein, who have already submitted their application[s] seeking enhancement/re-assessment of the compensation amount before the office of the erstwhile Divisional Commissioner, North Assam Division to the office of the newly appointed Arbitrator within a period of 4 [four] weeks from today. On receipt of the records of the arbitration case[s] of the Page No.# 9/9 petitioners, the Arbitrator so appointed, shall proceed to consider and dispose of the application[s] as expeditiously as possible, preferably within a period of 6 [six] months from the date of receipt of the records of Appeal Case no. 18/2022.

¶5With the observations made and directions given above, the writ petition is disposed of. No cost.

JUDGE Comparing Assistant

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