Claims to be preferred to the Divisional Canal Officer

(1) Unless otherwise provided all claims for compensation under this Act other than claims of the nature provided for in section 68 shall be made to the Divisional Canal Officer concerned. (2) The Divisional Canal Officer shall enquire into all such claims and determine the amount of compensation, if any, which should be awarded. In determining such amount, the Divisional Canal Officer shall be guided by the provisions of sections 23 and 24 of the State Land Acquisition Act, Samvat 1990: Provided that regard shall be had to the diminution in the market value, at the time of awarding compensation, of the property in respect of which compensation is claimed; and where such market value is not ascertainable, the amount of the diminution of the annual net profits of such property caused by the exercise of the powers conferred by this Act: Provided further that no order determining the amount of compensation shall be made by the Divisional Canal Officer under this section without the previous approval of the Superintending Canal Officer.