KONERU SAND AND BOAT WORKERS CO OPERATIVE SOCIETY LIMITED Vs. DISTRICT PANCHAYAT OFFICER MEMBER CONVENOR DISTRICT LEVEL COMMITTEE FOR SAND AUCTIONS GUNTUR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These two writ petitions relate to grant of lease to quarry sand in Reach No. 15 of Krishna River in Achampeta Mandal, Guntur District. Hence, they are disposed of through a common order.

(2.) The petitioners in both the writ petitions are Boat Workers Co-operative Societies. The petitioner in W.P. No. 12267 of 2003 is impleaded as respondent No.4 in W.P. No.13627 of 2003. For the sake of convenience, the petitioner in W.P. No. 12267 of 2003 is referred to as the 1st petitioner and the petitioner in W.P. No.13627 of 2003, as the 2nd petitioner.

(3.) The A.P. Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Rules') deal with grant of leases in respect of minor minerals. Sand is classified as a minor mineral. With a view to make special provisions in relation to sand, the Government of Andhra Pradesh had amended the Rules by issuing G.O. Ms. No.1, dated 1-1-2001. Through this amendment, Rules 9B to 9X were added. The Rules provide for certain concessions in the bid amount in favour of Boatmen Co-operative Societies in the matter of grant of such lease subject to certain conditions.