SOHAN LAL Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has challenged in this petition the letter dated 4-6-93 (Annex. 4) issued by the Union of India to the Secretary to the State of Rajasthan, Department of Mines, Jaipur and also impugned order dated 28-1-1997 (Annex. 3) passed by the State of Rajasthan.

(2.) Way back on 9-7-86, the Secretary to the State of Rajasthan, Department of Mines, Jaipur was requested to take necessary measures to stop further expansion in the mining of asbestos. In view of that letter dated 9-7-86 issued by the Union of India to the Director, Ministry of Mines, Govt. of Rajasthan, Jaipur issued another letter dated 4-6-93 (Annex. 4) to the Secretary to the State of Rajasthan, Department of Mines, Jaipur directing not to grant any new lease or renewal of mining of asbestos of existing mining lease.

(3.) The petitioner applied for renewal of his licence for mining of asbestos on 23-2-1995, but his renewal application was rejected by the State Govt. on 28-1-1997 (Annex. 3) on several grounds mentioned in the order. The main ground was that the Union of India has specifically directed the State Govt. not to grant any lease or renew the lease.