MAGANTI DHARMA RAO Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This public interest litigation is filed contending that respondents 12 to 48 are carrying on with illegal quarrying and mining activities in Sy.No.801 of Paritala village, Kanchikacherla Mandal, Krishna District and also using explosives for blasting. Averments are made in the petition that 94 stone crushing units are operating in the area. The list of 94 stone crushing units is not laid in the petition and all the 94 units are also not made party respondents. The petitioner had submitted a representation to the Director of Mines and Geology dtd. 10/9/2020. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that no action has been taken to stop the illegal mining activities.

(2.) In the aforesaid representation, petitioner had not indicated the list of units which, according to him, are operating without proper licences or requisite permissions from various authorities.

(3.) Having regard to the subject matter in dispute, we dispose of this petition by permitting the petitioner to file a detailed representation before the 4th respondent-Director of Mines and Geology and in the event of filing of such representation, the 4th respondent-Director of Mines and Geology will consider the representation and dispose of the same by a reasoned order. It is, however, made clear that this court has not recorded any opinion on the contention advanced by the petitioner with regard to the legality or illegality of the stone crushing units. If it is found that there are, indeed, units which are operating in the area without requisite licences and permissions necessary under law, to carry on such mining activities, appropriate action shall be taken in accordance with law. The representation, however, will be disposed of within a period of three months from the date of receipt of the representation. No order as to costs.