ABDUL NAZAR P. Vs. DISTRICT COLLECTOR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS writ petition is filed challenging Ext.P15, an order passed by the District Collector disposing of a representation submitted by the petitioner, requesting the District Collector to revoke a stop memo issued against the petitioner from operating a quarry, for which, according to the petitioner he has all the necessary licence and permission.

(2.) THE petitioner claims that he has a licence from the Municipality as per Ext.P1 which is valid for a period upto 2012. Ext.P2 is the consent to operate issued by the Kerala State Pollution Control Board which is valid till 28/02/2013. Ext.P3 is a quarrying permit issued by the Geologist, permitting extraction of Granite Building Stone from the quarry having an extent of 15 ares in survey Nos.154/2 and 155 under the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1967. The quarrying permit is for a period of one year from 19/10/2011, the date of issue. Ext.P4 dated 01/03/2011 is the explosive licence issued by the Additional District Magistrate which was valid till 2011.

(3.) THE main contention raised by the petitioner is that the Divisional Forest Officer has no role to play with reference to the quarrying permission. When the competent authority had already given appropriate permission there was no reason for the Forest Department to interfere in the matter.