SHOBHA K.SHETTY Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner was granted quarry licence for a period of five years with effect from 29/12/2004 for extraction of ordinary building stones. The aforesaid quarry licence is deemed to have been extended for a period of 20 years from the date of grant.

(2.) Rule 44 of the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Rules' for short) deals with offences. Rule 44(4) was inserted with effect from 12/8/2006. The relevant extract reads as under:

(3.) Rule 44(4) was amended with effect from 18/11/2017 and the word 'fifteen' times was substituted by 'five' times. Thus, under Rule 44(4), in case a mineral is dispatched or transported without valid permit, the lessee or licensee is liable to pay the penalty five times the royalty.