THUKARAM PATTEPPA L Vs. STATE OF KARNATAKA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS writ petition is directed against the order dated 15.04.2014 passed by the revisional authority vide Annexure -G Confirming the order dtd.30.09.2013 (Annexure -F) passed by the Director of Mines and Geology cancelling stone quarrying licence No.656.

(2.) WE have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the aforesaid orders at Annexures F and G.

(3.) THE petitioner was holder of a quarrying licence. It is not in dispute that the petitioner discontinued quarrying operations for more than one year in the land granted to him for stone quarrying and was also due in a sum of Rs.4,35,146/ - payable towards dead rent and interest in respect of the quarrying licence referred to above. To examine as to whether cancellation of the quarrying licence is legal or not, it is relevant to refer to Rules 6(1), and 39 of the Karnataka Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1994 ('the Rules') which read as follows: -