SONA EXPORTS Vs. DIRECTOR OF MINES AND GEOLOGY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) All these writpetitions may be disposed of by a common order as requested by all the learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioners and learned Advocate General as common question arises for consideration in this batch of writ petitions. The averments made in the affidavit filed in support of all these writ petitions is almost similar.

(2.) All the petitioners are stated to have submitted quarry lease applicationson different dates for grant of lease for cut or dressed granite. The applications are filed on various dates before the Director of Mines and Geology with regard to different extents of lands available for grant of quarry lease in different villages in the State of Andhra Pradesh. The applications are filed under the provisions of the A.P.Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966 (for short 'the Rules'). Some of the applications are filed by the pattedars themselves for grant of quarry lease in their own lands.

(3.) According to the averments made in the affidavit filed in support ofthe writ petitions, almost in all cases after receiving the applications the work relating to inspection, survey and demarcation has been completed. The concerned Asst. Directors and the Deputy Directors of Mines and Geology are stated to have forwarded the applications with favourable recommendations to the first respondent.