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2008 DIGILAW 455 (MAD)

S. Saraswathi and Others v. State Government of Tamil Nadu, rep. by its Secretary to Government Department of Housing & Urban Development, Chennai and Another

2008-02-07

P.JYOTHIMANI

body2008
Judgment : The petitioners in this writ petition have challenged the notification issued by the first respondent, Government in G.O. Ms. No. 73 dated 19.2.1997, published in the Government gazette dated 19.3.1997 under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act,1894 in respect of the lands to an extent of 3 acres situate in Survey No. 485/1 in Kasipalayam Panchayat, Erode Village and Taluk. 2. The petitioners 1 to 4 have purchased the said 3 acres out of 3.55 acres on 25.2.1986 and after that they obtained necessary approval on 21.1.1988 and formed a lay-out consisting of 43 plots and a shop and the petitioners 5 to 9 -have purchased various house sites under the approved lay-out from petitioners 1 to 4 on 27.9.1995. According to the petitioners, originally, the total extent of land (3.55 acres) comprised in Survey No. 485/1 belonged to the family of one N. Kandasamy Gounder and his wife Valliammal and their two sons, viz., K. Palanisamy and M.K. Ramasamy and the revenue records stood in the name of K. Palanisamy. 2(a). ) As stated above, petitioners 1 to 4 have purchased the said 3 acres of land under a registered sale deed dated 25.2.1986 in equal moiety. The Deputy Director of Town and Country Planning, Coimbatore in his proceedings in DTCP Na. Ka. 1890/87 has granted approval for layout and after the approval, petitioners 1 to 4 have also registered gift deeds in respect of the places allotted for road and park and based on the same, Kasipalayam Panchayat has also passed resolution on 20.1.1988, accepting the gift after getting necessary approval. Various plots were sold on 20.1.1993. Petitioners 1 to 4 got the patta changed in their names. The remaining properties were sold in 1995 under 15 sale deeds consisting of 30 plots and one of the purchaser has also put up a pucca terraced building in the year 1996 itself. 2(b). ) It was later, the petitioners came to know that the respondents have initiated proceedings to acquire the entire extent of 3.55 acres in Survey No.485/1 for construction of LIG/MIG/HIG houses by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board under a Neighbourhood Scheme. They came to know that Section 4(1) notification was issued on 19.2.1997 in G.O. Ms. No. 73 Housing and Urban Development Department and the second respondent has conducted enquiry under Section 5-A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. They came to know that Section 4(1) notification was issued on 19.2.1997 in G.O. Ms. No. 73 Housing and Urban Development Department and the second respondent has conducted enquiry under Section 5-A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. According to the petitioners 1 to 4 even though they have purchased 3 acres of land in Survey No.485/1 as early as in 1986, and the revenue records stand in their name, they have not received any notice from the second respondent for enquiry under Section 5-A of the Act. It was after they came to know about the acquisitions‘ proceedings, they obtained the copy of the notification and filed the present writ petition. 2(c). ) The said 4(1) notification is challenged on various grounds including that the notification does not contain the names of the petitioners 1 to 4 who have purchased as early as in 1986; the notification is against the guidelines issued by the Government, since it pertains to approved layout; the notification was not given by local publication as envisaged under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act; the substance of the notification has not been published and therefore the entire procedure is in violation of Section 4(1). According to the petitioners, the respondents are proceeding to issue declaration under Section 66 of the Act and it was at that time they have filed the present writ petition. 3. The respondents have filed a counter affidavit. According to the respondents, as per the request of the Executive Engineer and the Administrative Officer, Erode Housing Unit of Tamil Nadu Housing Board, an extent of 19.82.5 hectares of land in R.S. No. 472/1, 473/1 to 3, 474/1, 2 and 485/1, 2 etc. in Kasipalayam Village was proposed to be acquired for construction of LIG/MIG/HIG houses to the houseless public and the scheme was approved by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board on 4.4.1990. The Government has issued notification under Section 4(1) of the Act in G.O. Ms. No. 73 Housing and Urban Development Department dated 19.2.1997 and the notification was published in the Tamil Nadu Government gazette on 19.3.1997, followed by publication in two Tamil dailies, viz., Malai Malar and Pirpagal on 29.3.1997. 3(a). ) It is also stated by the respondents that the substance of notification was published in the locality on 16.6.1997 by beat of tom-tom, apart from publishing in conspicuous places on the same day. 3(a). ) It is also stated by the respondents that the substance of notification was published in the locality on 16.6.1997 by beat of tom-tom, apart from publishing in conspicuous places on the same day. According to the respondents, the land owner K.Palanisamy Gounder, appeared for 5-A enquiry and has stated that the property in S. No. 485/1 was sold to others on 25.2.1986 and therefore, he has no right over the land and he has also not furnished the particulars about the purchasers. The objections of the interested persons were communicated to the Executive Engineer and the Administrative Officer of the Erode Housing Unit on 16.9.1997 for remarks, who has offered his remarks on 23.12.1997, 24.12.1997 and 27.12.1997 and the same was communicated to the interested persons on 21.1.1998, requiring them to appear for re-enquiry on 20.2.1998. The re-enquiry was conducted on the said date, in which the objections as raised in Section 5-A enquiry on 21.7.1997 was raised again and the objections were over-ruled and draft declaration was recommended to the Government. 3(b). ) According to the respondents, the Government in G.O. Ms. No. 289 Housing and Urban Development Department, dated 12.6.1998 have approved the draft declaration under Section 6 of the Act and the same was published in the Government gazette on 12.6.1998 followed by publication in two Tamil dailies, viz., “Thinakaran” and “Pirpagal” on 15.6.1998 and the substance of the notification was published in the locality on 15.6.1998 by beat of tom-tom and also published in the conspicuous places. Therefore, according to the respondents, Section 4(1) notification was served on one K. Palanisamy Gounder, in whose name the revenue records in respect of the property in dispute stood at the time of initiation of proceedings under the Land Acquisition Act. 3(c). ) It is the further case of the respondents that the subsequent sales have been effected in the year 1995 in the names of respondents 5 to 9 under various documents giving details in paragraph 4 of the counter affidavit. However, it is the case of the respondents that the purchasers names did not find place in Chitta at the time of publication of Section 4(1) notification. Since the names of the petitioners were not found in Chitta, notice for Section 5-A enquiry was served by affixture in the survey stones of the field under acquisition. However, it is the case of the respondents that the purchasers names did not find place in Chitta at the time of publication of Section 4(1) notification. Since the names of the petitioners were not found in Chitta, notice for Section 5-A enquiry was served by affixture in the survey stones of the field under acquisition. It is stated in the counter affidavit that petitioners 1 to 4 have given a petition on 6.12.1993, requesting the Land Acquisition Officer that they are the owners of the land in Survey No. 485/1 and the land to be excluded from acquisition, however, they have not produced any document to establish their right over the property. The original land owner K. Palanisamy Gounder, in whose name the revenue records stand was served with notice to appear for 5-A enquiry and he did not appear and therefore, Section 6 declaration was published. 4. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would submit that the notification issued under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act,1894 is vitiated as the provisions of the said Section 4(1) as amended by Act 16 of 1997 was not followed. According to him, as per the Amendment Act 16 of 1997, the procedure under Section 4(1) notification has to be completed within 60 days from the date of commencement till the date of local publication and in the present case, Section 4(1) notification was published on 19.3.1997 and local publication was on 16.6.1997 and therefore, it is beyond 60 days, as per the Amendment Act 16 of 1997, and to substantiate the above said contention he would rely upon the judgment of the this Court in Pethu Chettiar v. Special Tahsildar, Land Acquisition (ADW), Chidambaram, Cuddalore and two Others Pethu Chettiar v. Special Tahsildar, Land Acquisition (ADW), Chidambaram, Cuddalore and two Others Pethu Chettiar v. Special Tahsildar, Land Acquisition (ADW), Chidambaram, Cuddalore and two Others (2000) 3 MLJ 430 : (2000) 3 CTC 456 . He would also rely upon an unreported judgment of this Court in a batch of writ petitions, viz., W.P.Nos.9740 of 1998 etc. dated 14.12.2001 ( G. Rajamma and Others v. State of Tamil Nadu rep. by Secretary to Housing and Urban Development Department, Fort St. He would also rely upon an unreported judgment of this Court in a batch of writ petitions, viz., W.P.Nos.9740 of 1998 etc. dated 14.12.2001 ( G. Rajamma and Others v. State of Tamil Nadu rep. by Secretary to Housing and Urban Development Department, Fort St. George,Chennai9 and Another), in which while dealing with the same Government Order, which is impugned in this writ petition, the learned Judge has quashed the acquisition proceedings following the judgment of this Court in C. Ponnusamy and 62 Others v. Government of Tamil Nadu etc. C. Ponnusamy and 62 Others v. Government of Tamil Nadu etc. C. Ponnusamy and 62 Others v. Government of Tamil Nadu etc. 1997 WLR 310: 1997 (1) CTC 212 . 5. The learned counsel appearing for the respondents has also produced the files regarding the land acquisition proceedings. 6. It is seen that the Government has approved the proposal for land acquisition on 19. 2.1997 and the notification under Section 4(1) was published in G.O. Ms. No. 73 dated 19.2.1997; newspaper publication was made in two Tamil dailies, viz., “Pirpagal” and “Malai Malar” on 29.3.1997 and the locality publication was made on 16.6.1997. It is true that Section 6 declaration was published in G.O. Ms. No. 209 dated 12.6.1998, which is within the period stipulated under the Act. It is also seen that award has been passed on 21.6.2000 in Award No. 2 of 2000 and the award amount was deposited in the Court. When the above writ petition came up for admission, this Court, by order dated 10.7.1998, has granted interim stay of dispossession. 7. As correctly submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioners, in respect of the same 4(1) notification issued under G.O. Ms. No. 73 Housing and Urban Development Department dated 19.2.1997 and also Section 6 declaration under G.O. Ms. No. 209 Housing and Urban Development Department dated 12.6.1998, regarding the other properties comprised in adjacent survey numbers, viz., 485/2 etc. in the same Kasipalayam Village, W.P. Nos. 9740, 10158 & 13058 of 1998 were filed before this Court. 8. A reference to Section 4(1) notification dated 19.2.1997 shows that the property belong to K. Palanisamy Gounder S/o. Kandasamy Gounder. Again, Section 6 declaration published on 12. in the same Kasipalayam Village, W.P. Nos. 9740, 10158 & 13058 of 1998 were filed before this Court. 8. A reference to Section 4(1) notification dated 19.2.1997 shows that the property belong to K. Palanisamy Gounder S/o. Kandasamy Gounder. Again, Section 6 declaration published on 12. 6.1998 in respect of survey number in question also states the owner of the property as K. Palanisamy Gounder S/o. Kandasamy Gounder and the petitioners name does not find place. The award passed under Section 11 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 dated 21.6.2000 in respect of Survey No. 485/1 also stands in the name of K. Palanisamy Gounder S/o. Kandasamy Gounder and others and not in the name of the petitioners and others. 9. It is seen that the Chitta filed by the petitioners in the typed set of papers, which was given on 6.6.1998 does not contain the name of anyone of the petitioners. On the other hand, it remains in the name of K. Palanisamy Gounder S/o. Kandasamy Gounder. The said K. Palanisamy Gounder S/o. Kandasamy Gounder, in whose name the revenue records stand has been admitted by the petitioners as their predecessor in title, who hag appeared for the enquiry conducted under Section 5-A of the Act on 21.7.1997 and also given statement that he has sold the properties, however without furnishing further particulars. 10. It is seen that notice under Sections 9(3) and 10 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 has been issued to the petitioners as “occupiers” and after hearing the objections, the same was rejected, finding that the petitioners have not proved that the building was put up before Section 4(1) notification and therefore, the claim of the petitioners to pay compensation for the building was also rejected. 11. On the factual position as ascertained based on the records and files produced before this Court, I do not think that the claim of the petitioners are similar to that of the petitioners in W.P. Nos. 9740, 10158 and 13058 of 1998 and therefore, on that basis no order can be passed in the present case since in respect of the lands under acquisition they are different even though they form part of the same notification. 12. 9740, 10158 and 13058 of 1998 and therefore, on that basis no order can be passed in the present case since in respect of the lands under acquisition they are different even though they form part of the same notification. 12. The next point to be considered is, as to whether the acquisition proceedings are sustainable for non-compliance of explanation inserted to Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 by the Tamil Nadu Act 16 of 1997, by which it is made clear that for the purpose, of notification under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act,1894, the same must be completed within 60 days, to be computed from the date of publication in the official gazette or date of publication of such notification in two daily newspapers or the date of giving public notice, which ever is earlier. 13. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners has brought to the notice of this Court about an order passed in W.P. Nos. 20426 and 20427 of 1999 ( M. Saroja and Another v.Secretary to Government, Housing and Urban Development Department, Fort St. George,Chennai9 and Another) dated 9.10.2001 by K. GOVINDARAJAN, J. in respect of Section 4(1) notification dated 19.2.1997, which is also the subject matter in this writ petition. In that case Section 4(1) notification was published in G.O. Ms. No. 73 Housing and Urban Development Department dated 19.2.1997 and ultimately, the last mode of publication by public notice was on 16.6.1997 and relying upon the earlier judgment reported in Pethu Chettiar v. Special Tahsildar, Land Acquisition (ADW), Chidambaram, Cuddalore and two Others Pethu Chettiar v. Special Tahsildar, Land Acquisition (ADW), Chidambaram, Cuddalore and two Others Pethu Chettiar v. Special Tahsildar, Land Acquisition (ADW), Chidambaram, Cuddalore and two Others (supra), it was held that Section 4(1) notification proceedings have not been completed within the period of 60 days and therefore, the authorities cannot sustain the acquisition proceedings and therefore allowed the writ petition. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that since the present writ petition also relates to the same Government Order, which was set aside in the above referred judgment on the ground of non-compliance of Section 4(1) notification proceedings within the period contemplated under explanation to Section 4 introduced by Tamil Nadu Act 16 of 1997, the entire acquisition proceedings are vitiated. 14. 14. By the Land Acquisition (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act,1996, (Tamil Nadu Act 16 of 1997), the following insertions/alterations have been made to Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act,1894. “In Section 4,- (1) in sub-section (1),- (a) for the expression “whenever it appears to the appropriate Government”, the expression “subject to the provisions of sub-section (1-A), whenever it appears to the Collector or the Commissioner of Land Administration or the Government, as the case may be,” shall be substituted; (b) the following explanation shall be added at the end, namely: “ Explanation-for the purpose of this sub-section, the publication of notification in the Official Gazette, the publication of such notification in two daily newspapers and giving of a public notice; (a) may precede each other; (b) shall be completed within a period of 60 days. The period of 60 days shall be reckoned from the date of publication of notification in the Official Gazette or the date of publication of such notification in two daily newspapers or the date of giving public notice, whichever is earlier.” (2) after sub-section (1), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely: “(1-A) The notification under sub-section (1) shall be published by; (a) the Collector in respect of land not exceeding 4 acres in extent the value of which does not exceed rupees twenty-five lakhs; (b) the Commissioner of Land Administration in respect of land not exceeding 75 acres in extent the value of which exceeds rupees twenty-five lakhs, but does not exceed rupees fifty lakhs; and (c) the Government in other cases.)“; (3) in sub-section (2), for the words “by such Government”, the words “by such Collector or Commissioner of Land Administration or Government, as the case may be,” shall be substituted.“ 15. In the said Tamil Nadu (Amendment) Act, the explanation to Section 4(1) which has been inserted is relevant for the facts and circumstances of the case. While the explanation states that the publication of notification in the official gazette, notification in two daily newspapers and the giving of a public notice should precede each other. In the said Tamil Nadu (Amendment) Act, the explanation to Section 4(1) which has been inserted is relevant for the facts and circumstances of the case. While the explanation states that the publication of notification in the official gazette, notification in two daily newspapers and the giving of a public notice should precede each other. It is also made clear that the entire process as stated above should be completed within a period of 60 days and the period of 60 days is directed to be reckoned from the date of publication of the notification in the official gazette or from the publication of such notification in two daily newspapers or the date of giving public notice, “ which ever is earlier.” (emphasis supplied) 16. In the present case, Section 4(1) notification was issued under the impugned G.O. Ms. No. 73 Housing and Urban Development Department dated 19.2.1997; it was published in the official gazette on 19.3.1997; publication in two newspapers, viz., “Pirpagal” and “Malai Malar” was on 29.3.1997; and the locality publication as seen in the records is 16.6.1997. Therefore, by applying the said explanation (b) to Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 1997, if the earliest date of publication in the notification under Section 4(1) in the official gazette is taken, viz., 19.3.1997, the local publication was effected on 16.6.1997, and therefore, the same is clearly beyond the period of 60 days. It is relevant to point out that even from the date of newspaper publication, which is stated to be on 29.3.1997, the local publication being on 16.6.1997, there are more than 60 days in between the same and therefore, it is clearly against the said explanation to Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act. 17. When a question arose that when the Central Act has not prescribed any time limit, whether the State Amendment can impose the same and is binding on the authorities, this Court has held that if there is a violation of the said explanation inserted by the Tamil Nadu Act 16 of 1997 in respect of the period of 60 days in completing Section 4(1) notification process, the entire acquisition proceedings are vitiated. That was in Pethu Chettiar v. Special Tahsildar, Land Acquisition (ADW), Chidambaram, Cuddalore and two Others Pethu Chettiar v. Special Tahsildar, Land Acquisition (ADW), Chidambaram, Cuddalore and two Others Pethu Chettiar v. Special Tahsildar, Land Acquisition (ADW), Chidambaram, Cuddalore and two Others (supra). Justice K. GOVINDARAJAN, having taken note of the fact that the said Tamil Nadu Amendment Act 16 of 1997 has received the assent of the President of India on 14.3.1997, has held that by virtue of the assent obtained from the President subsequent to the Amendment Act, it cannot be said that no time limit has been stipulated under the principal Act and therefore the State Act cannot operate against the same. 18. Basing reliance on the judgment of the Supreme Court in Gouri Shanker Gaur v. State of Uttar Pradesh AIR 1994 SC 169 : (1994) 1 SCC 92 , this Court has also taken note of the fact that subsequent to the Amendment Act 16 of 1997, there was no Parliament amendment in respect to the provision in question. The relevant portion of the judgment is as follows: “ 5. As pointed out earlier, the said amendment Act has received the assent of the President and so in view of Article 254(2) of the Constitution of India, the said amendment will prevail notwithstanding its repugnancy to the earlier law made by the Union. The subject matter relating to the land acquisition is covered by the concurrent list, and, in the Central Act, no time-limit has been prescribed to complete the proceedings under Section 4(1) of the Act. Since the amendment under Act 16 of 1997 has received the assent of the President, the State Act even if it is inconsistent with the Central Act, prevails in the State and overrides the provisions of the Central Act in its application to the State of Tamil Nadu. This issue has been dealt with in detail in the decision in Gouri Shanker Gaur v. State of Uttar Pradesh ( AIR 1994 SC 169 : (1994) (1) SCC 92. In the said decision, the Hon‘ble Judges of the Apex Court have held as follows: 39. There is no doubt or difficulty as to applicability of the law under Article 254 of the Constitution. In the said decision, the Hon‘ble Judges of the Apex Court have held as follows: 39. There is no doubt or difficulty as to applicability of the law under Article 254 of the Constitution. As to what would happen in a case of conflict between a Central and State Law occupying the same field enumerated in the concurrent list, Article 254 was enacted to solve that conflict. Article 254(1) envisages the normal rule that in the event of a conflict between the law made by the Union and the State Legislature in the concurrent field, the former prevails over the latter; if the law relating to the concurrent subject made by the State Legislature is repealed by Union law, whether Union law is prior or later in point of time-, the Union law will prevail and the State law shall, to the extent of such repugnancy, be void. An exception has been engrafted to this rule by clause (2) thereof, namely, if the State law has been reserved for consideration and the President gives assent to a State law, it will prevail, notwithstanding its repugnancy to a earlier law made by the Union, though both laws are dealing with a concurrent subject occupying the same field but operate in a collision course. The assent obtained from the President to the State Act which is inconsistent with the Union law prevails in that State and overrides the provisions of the Union law in its application to that State only. However, if the Parliament, in exercising its power under the provisoto Article 254(2) makes a law adding, amending or repealing the Union law, predominance secured by the State law by the assent of the President is taken away and the repugnant State law though it became valid by virtue of Presidents assent, would be void either directly or by its repugnance with respect to the same matter. The Parliament may not expressly repeal the State law and by necessary implication the State law stands repealed to the extent of the repugnancy, as soon as the subsequent law of the Parliament creating repugnancy is made. Such repugnancy may also arise where both the laws are operating in the same field and they cannot possibly stand together. This is the consistent law laid by this Court. Such repugnancy may also arise where both the laws are operating in the same field and they cannot possibly stand together. This is the consistent law laid by this Court. In Zaverbhai Amaidas v. State of Bombay Zaverbhai Amaidas v. State of Bombay Zaverbhai Amaidas v. State of Bombay , AIR 1954 SC 752 : 1955 (1) SCR 799 . Section 7 of the Essential Supplies (Temporary Powers) Act, 1946, was amended in 1948 and 1949 and thereafter by Act 52 of 1950. It was held that Act 52 of 1950 is a legislation in respect of the same matter as Bombay Act (36 of 1947) within the meaning of Article 254(2) of the Constitution and therefore Section 2 of Bombay Act 36 of 1947 cannot prevail as against Section 7 of the Essential Supplies (Temporary Powers) Act as amended by Act 52 of 1950. In M. Karunanidhi v. Union of India M. Karunanidhi v. Union of India M. Karunanidhi v. Union of India , (1979) 3 SCC 431 : (1979) SCC (Cri.) 691: 1979 (3) SCR 254 another Constitution Bench surveyed the case-law when Tamil Nadu Public Men (Criminal Misconduct) Act, 1973 was challenged as being repugnant to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898, Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947 and Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1952 and laid down the test thus: (1) where the provisions of a Central Act and a State Act in the Concurrent List are fully inconsistent and are absolutely irreconcilable, the Central Act will (Italics supplied) prevail and the State Act will become void in view of the repugnancy; (2) where, however, a law passed by the State-comes into collision with a law passed by Parliament on an Entry in the Concurrent List, the State Act shall prevail to the extent of the repugnancy and the provisions of the Central Act would become void provided the State Act has been passed in accordance with clause (2) of Article 254; (3) where, however, a law made by the State Legislature on a subject covered by the Concurrent List is inconsistent with or repugnant to a previous law made by Parliament, then such a law can be protected by obtaining the assent of the President under Article 254(2) of the Constitution. The result of obtaining the assent of the President would be that so far as the State Act is concerned, it will prevail in the state and overrule the provisions of the Central Act in their applicability to the State only. Such a state of affairs will exist only until Parliament may at any time make a law adding to, or amending, varying or repealing the law made by the State Legislature under the proviso to Article 254. In that case it was held that part of the provisions were not repugnant in their application to the public men in Tamil Nadu but are void to the extent of public servants. T. Barai v. Henry Ah Hoe T. Barai v. Henry Ah Hoe T. Barai v. Henry Ah Hoe (1983) 1 SCC 177 : (1983) SCC (cri.) 143: 1983 (1) SCR 905 is a case where Section 16(1) (a) of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 in the Concurrent List prescribes a punishment of six years and fine. The West Bengal State Legislature amended it by West Bengal Amendment Act, 1973 and prescribed a punishment of imprisonment for life for the selfsame offence under Section 16(1) of the Act. Prevention of Food Adulteration Act was amended by Parliament in 1976. The question arose whether by operation of proviso to Article 254(2) the State law is void. Since the Central Amendment Act, 1976 occupies the same field imposing lesser punishment, the previous State law imposing punishment of imprisonment for life, though received the assent of the President was held to be void. 6. It is not in dispute that subsequent to the amended Act No. 16 of 1997 there is no amendment by the Parliament with respect to the provision in question. The decision relied on by the learned Government Advocate in Sanjeeva Kumar Medical and Health Employees Co-operative Housing Society v. Mohd. Abdul Wahab and Others Sanjeeva Kumar Medical and Health Employees Cooperative Housing Society v. Mohd. Abdul Wahab and Others Sanjeeva Kumar Medical and Health Employees Co-operative Housing Society v. Mohd. Abdul Wahab and Others AIR 1996 SC 3360 : (1996) 3 SCC 600 will not apply to the facts of the present case. Abdul Wahab and Others Sanjeeva Kumar Medical and Health Employees Cooperative Housing Society v. Mohd. Abdul Wahab and Others Sanjeeva Kumar Medical and Health Employees Co-operative Housing Society v. Mohd. Abdul Wahab and Others AIR 1996 SC 3360 : (1996) 3 SCC 600 will not apply to the facts of the present case. The said decision has considered the scope of amendment Act No. 9 of 1983, prescribing the publication of the substance under Section 4(1) should be done within 40 days in the District Gazette from the date of publication. The Apex Court taking into consideration of the amendment made by the Parliament under the amendment Act 68 of 1984, has come to the conclusion that in view of the said enactment made by the Parliament under the amendment Act 68 of 1984, the earlier amendment by the State cannot operate inconsistent to the subsequent amendment of the Parliament. 7. In view of the above settled principles, and also in view of the fact that the respondents have not completed the acquisition proceedings within the said stipulated period, the entire proceedings are vitiated.” In view of the above said facts and legal position, the impugned G.O. Ms. No. 73 Housing and Urban Development Department dated 19.2.1997, viz., notification issued under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, is set aside and the writ petition stands allowed. No costs.