26. Option of objecting owner to require council to acquire his property.
(1)If the owner of any property, separately registered in the municipal assessment books and assessed to a betterment contribution in any particular year, objects to the amount of such contribution on the ground that the market value estimated under clause (b) of section 24 is excessive, he shall state the market value which, he contends, is correct, and may, within thirty days of the date on which the determination of his objection or appeal becomes final, by written notice, require the municipal council to acquire the property together with any buildings or other works that may exist thereon.(2)The council shall thereupon either acquire the property or accept the market value as stated by the owner and revise its assessment of the betterment contribution in accordance therewith.(3)In case the council elects to acquire the property the compensation payable therefor shall be determined [according to the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, (Central Act I of 1894). or according to those provisions as modified by sections 34 and 35, as the case may require] [Substituted for the words 'according to the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, as modified by Chapter VII of this Act' by Madras Act IV of 1934.]:Provided that the compensation payable for the property, apart from the buildings or other works thereon, shall not exceed the market value stated by the owner under sub-section (1).
