Publication of preliminary notification and power of officers

Publication of preliminary notification and power of officers.—(1) Whenever it appears to the appropriate Government that land in any area is required or likely to be required for any public purpose, then a notification (hereinafter referred to as preliminary notification) to that effect, along with details of the land to be acquired in such area, shall be published in the following manner, namely:—

1. (a) in the Official Gazette;
2. (b) in two daily newspapers circulating in the locality of such area of which one shall be in the regional language;
3. (c) in the local language in the Panchayat, Municipality or Municipal Corporation, as the case may be, and in the offices of the District Collector, the Sub-divisional Magistrate and the Tehsildar;
4. (d) uploaded on the website of the appropriate Government;
5. (e) in the affected areas, in such manner as may be prescribed.

1. (2) Immediately after issuance of the notification under sub-section (1), the concerned appropriate Government or the Collector shall cause public notice of the substance of such notification to be given at convenient places in the said locality.
2. (3) On the publication of a preliminary notification under sub-section (1), it shall be lawful for any officer, either generally or specially authorised by such Government in this behalf, and for his servants and workmen,—
   • (a) to enter upon and survey and take levels of any land in such locality;
   • (b) to dig or bore into the sub-soil;
   • (c) to do all other acts necessary to ascertain whether the land is adapted for such purpose;
   • (d) to set out the boundaries of the land proposed to be taken and the intended line of the work, if any, proposed to be made thereon;
   • (e) to mark such levels, boundaries and line by placing marks and cutting trenches and, where otherwise the survey cannot be completed and the levels taken and the boundaries and line marked, to cut down and clear away any part of any standing crop, fence or jungle: Provided that no officer shall enter any building or upon any enclosed court or garden attached to a dwelling-house (unless with the consent of the occupier thereof) without previously giving such occupier at least seven days’ notice in writing of his intention to do so.