ORDER 1. Notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1 of 1898 (for short the Act) was published on 3-7-1979. The Land Acquisition Collector classified the land and awarded the compensation @ Rs 2000 to Rs 3000 per bigha to the respective lands. On reference under Section 18, the reference court enhanced the market value to Rs 8500 to Rs 6500 per bigha while maintaining classification of the land. In First Appeal No. 81 of 1986 and other connected cases by judgment and decree dated 30-1-1989, Guwahati High Court affirmed the award and decree of the reference court. Thus these appeals by special leave. 2. We have gone through the judgment of the reference court vis-a-vis the judgment of the High Court. We found, on the facts and circumstances of the case, that appropriate market value would be Rs 4875 and Rs 6375 instead of Rs 6500 and Rs 8500 respectively for the lands as it would reflect the prevailing market value as on the date of the notification, namely, 3-7-1979. Accordingly, the market value is determined at Rs 4875 and Rs 6375 per bigha as per the classification, nature and quality of the lands. Award of the reference court being made after the Amendment Act had come into force, the claimants are entitled to the statutory benefits of the Amendment Act, 68 of 1984. Accordingly, the claimants are entitled to 30% solatium on the enhanced compensation, 9% interest for one year and 15% interest thereafter from the date of taking possession on the enhanced compensation till date of deposit or payment, whichever is earlier. They are also entitled to 12% of the additional amount under Section 23(1-A) of the Act. The appeals are disposed of accordingly. The award and decree of the reference court is modified accordingly. No costs. 3. The appellants are directed to deposit the amount, if not already deposited, within a period of eight months from the date of the receipt of this order. For Citation: 1995(5) SCC 282