M.S.RAGHU Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition has been filed seeking for the following reliefs:

(2.) Heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties and also perused the material available on record.

(3.) It is the case of the petitioner that the land bearing Sy.No.1 measuring 1.20 acres situated at Baby Bettadakavalu Village, Pandavapura Taluk, Mandya District, is the Government land consisting of building stones and a Notification granting the quarry lease to the petitioner was issued in respect of the said land pursuant to the application made by him and thereafter survey and demarcation was done and lease deed in QL No.616 was also executed in favour of the petitioner authorizing him to remove, extract and transport building stones from the said land for a period of 20 years with effect from 28/6/2003. The petitioner had made an application to respondent No.4 on 14/6/2017 seeking Environmental Clearance for carrying on quarrying operation in the land in question. Considering the said application, reports were called from the Assistant Commissioner and the Assistant Conservator of Forest by the District Level Expert Appraisal Committee for grant of Environmental Clearance and after receiving the reports, the District Level Expert Appraisal Committee had recommended for grant of Environmental Clearance in favour of the petitioner. Though such a recommendation was made on 1/9/2017, respondent No.4 had failed to take any decision on the application filed by the petitioner for Environmental Clearance as provided under the Notification vide Annexure-D dtd. 14/9/2006.