After the government issues a final notification of acquisition, it is required to make an award to the landowners who are affected by the acquisition. The award specifies the compensation to be paid to each landowner for their land, as well as any other losses incurred by them due to the acquisition, such as loss of livelihood or damage to structures on the land.
The award is prepared by a government-appointed Collector, who conducts an inquiry to determine the market value of the land and the compensation to be paid to the landowners. The Collector considers various factors such as the location, size, and potential use of the land, as well as any improvements made to the land by the landowner, while determining the market value and compensation.
Once the award is prepared, it must be communicated to the affected landowners, who have the right to challenge the award in a civil court if they are not satisfied with the compensation or the process of valuation. The landowners may also file a claim for additional compensation if they believe that the compensation awarded is inadequate or unfair.
The claim process allows the landowners to seek additional compensation for any losses or damages that were not adequately considered in the award. The landowner may file a claim within six months of the date of the award or the date of taking possession of the land, whichever is earlier. The government must consider the claim and make a revised award if necessary, and the landowner has the right to challenge the revised award in a civil court.
