STATE OF BIHAR vs D.N. SINGH .

The Supreme Court held that the Commissioner, under the proviso to Section 11 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1984, has the authority to approve the award of compensation proposed by the Land Acquisition Collector, including the power to reduce the suggested amount for different categories of lands. The Court overturned the High Court's ruling which denied this power, referencing its earlier decision from November 30, 1993. The case was remanded to the High Court for further proceedings to determine the merits of the compensation award, without expressing an opinion on the specifics of the case.