Section 14: Power of State Government to acquire land.

(1) Where on any representation from the Competent Authority it appears to the State Government that, in order to enable the Authority [to execute any work of improvement or to redevelop any slum area or any structure in such area, it is necessary that such area, or any land] within adjoining or surrounded by any such area should be acquired, the State Government may acquire the land by publishing in the Official Gazette, a notice to the effect that the State Government has decided to acquire the land in pursuance of this section :

[Provided that, before publishing such notice, the State Government, or as the case may be, the [Competent Authority] may call upon by notice the owner of, or any other person who, in its or his opinion may be interested in, such land to show cause in writing why the land should not be acquired with reasons therefor, to the [Competent Authority] within the period specified in the notice; and the [Competent Authority] shall, with all reasonable despatch, forward any objections so submitted together with his report in respect thereof to the State Government and on considering the report and the objections, if any, the State Government may pass such order as it deems fit.]

[(1A) The acquisition of land for any purpose mentioned in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be a public purpose.]

(2) When a notice as aforesaid is published in the Official Gazette, the land shall, on and from the date on which the notice is so published, vest absolutely in the State Government free from all encumbrances.