Though the claimants are not entitled to interest from the date of taking possession, but under Ex.A.1, the Land Acquisition Officer awarded interest @ 9% p.a., on the compensation fixed by him, for a period of one year i.e., from 1.03.1987 to 28.02.1988, and thereafter, @ 15% p.a., from 1.03.1988 to till the date of payment. As per Section 25 of the Act the amount of compensation awarded by the Court shall not be less than the amount awarded by the Collector under Section 11 of the Act. But in view of the embargo under Section 25 of the Act, the award of interest from the date of taking possession by the Land Acquisition Officer cannot be interfered with. The remedy, if any, for the Land Acquisition Officer is only to challenge the award under Article 226 of the Constitution. The Lower Court also in its award discussed that the claimants are deprived of the livelihood, since they were prevented from raising crops and having regard to the fact that the Government accepted and paid the decretal amount accepting the award of interest from the date of notification on the enhanced compensation also, we do not see any merit in these appeals.
