GEM GRANITES Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD the learned counsel for the petitioner, as well as the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents.

(2.) IT has been stated that the petitioner has been carrying on the business of quarrying dimensional granite blocks and manufacturing of value added products and in exporting the same. The petitioner has been a pioneer in the industry. It has invested considerable resources in developing the quarries and the infrastructure for carrying on the quarrying activities in order to achieve optimum utilization of the available natural resources.

(3.) IT has been further stated that the Government of Tamilnadu had framed the Tamilnadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959, providing for the grant of quarry leases. The said rules had been amended, from time to time. In the year, 1972, Rule 8-A had been introduced, for the granting of long term leases. Thereafter, in the year, 1989, the State Government had issued Dead Rent for the grant of leases relating to minor minerals. On 2.9.1989, the State Government had amended Rule 8-A of the said Rules for the grant of leases, for quarrying granite dimension stones, through a tender system.