M/S. KESORAM CEMENT Vs. PRL. SECY., ENVIRONMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Mr. Karthik Ramana Puttamreddy, learned counsel appears for the petitioners in W.P.No.1809 of 2011 and W.P.No.26340 of 2010 and 31524 of 2013. Mr. Madas Bharath Chandra, learned counsel appears for Mr. Bodduluri Srinivasa Rao, learned counsel for the petitioner in W.P.No.10512 of 2010. Mr. Mohd. Imran Khan, learned Additional Advocate General appears for the State of Telangana.

(2.) These writ petitions are filed praying to grant the following relief:

(3.) Brief facts: Petitioner companies have cement plants at Basanthnagar, Karimnagar District. The raw material required for manufacturing the portland cement is limestone. A mining lease was granted in forest land of Palkurthi, Takkalapalli and Putnoor Reserve Forest, Ramagundam Mandal, which was valid for a period of 20 years and permission was obtained from Government of India till 17/8/2016 for the forest land to be put to non-forest use. Based on Ministry of Environment and Forest proceedings, Government of Andhra Pradesh issued G.O.Ms.No.215, dtd. 5/8/2006, granting renewal of lease of Acs.890.20 guntas which included forest land of Acs.570.00. The Government of Andhra Pradesh also requested petitioners to obtain further clearance for a further period of ten years i.e., 18/8/2016 to 17/8/2026 from forest department.