K KARUNAKARAN Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In all these writ petitions, the petitioners have challenged the validity of Rule 8-A of the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959, hereinafter called 'the Rules 1959', as amended in G.O.Ms.No.86, Industries (MMC.2) Department, dated 22.2.2001.

(2.) The petitioners made application for prospecting licence and/or for lease to carry out the mining operation in the area which have been prospected earlier for granite. Some applications were rejected by the Government. In some cases, pursuant to the interim orders of this Court, the applications are pending before the Government. Since the applications were rejected or not considered on the basis of Rule 8-A of the Rules, the petitioners have come forward with the above writ petitions challenging the said provision.

(3.) Mr. Ramakrishna Reddy, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and the learned Advocate General appearing for the respondents made their respective submissions regarding the issue raised in these writ petitions.