KALIYAPPAN vs STATE OF KERALA & ORS.

The Supreme Court held that under Section 11A of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, the Collector is required to make an award within two years from the date of publication of the declaration, which means signing the award, not serving notice. The Court clarified that the period of limitation prescribed under Section 11A is distinct from that under Section 18, and the time taken by the Collector to make the award does not invalidate the acquisition proceedings if it does not exceed the two-year limit. The special leave petition was dismissed, affirming the High Court's decision.