APHC010295452025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) SMB ■1?. FRIDAY, THE TWENTY SEVENTH DAY OF JUNElfg TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE B PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT. JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 15105 OF 2025 Between: Sundeep Ravindra Engineers and Contractors, Rep.by its Managing Partner- Kovvuri Ravindra Reddy D.No. 17-1/2, Fazulbegh Peta, Srikakulam Mandal, Srikakulam District Andhra Pradesh. ...Petitioner AND 1. The State of Andhra Pradesh, Rep. by its Principal Secretary, Mines and Geology Department, Velagapudi, Amaravati, Guntur District. 2. The Director of Mines and Geology, Ibrahimpatnam, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. 3. The District Mines and Geology Officer, Vizianagaram, Vizianagaram District, A.P. 4. The District Mines and Geology Officer, Parvathipuram, Parvathipuram Manyam District, A.P. ...Respondents Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue a writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of a writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents 2 to 4 in not disposing the application of the petitioner dated 04-03-2021 for grant of quarry lease for Road Metal and Building Stone over an extent of 2.964 Mandal Hectares in S.No.01 of Thumbali Village, Jiyyammavalasa Vizianagaram District under A.P. Minor Mineral Concession Rules 1966 in terms of G.O. Ms. No. 57 Industries and Commerce (M.ll) Department dated 18-04-2025 is illegal, arbitrary and violation of Art. 19 and 300-A of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to consider the application dated 04-03-2021 made by the petitioner for grant of quarry lease for Road Metal and Building Stone over an extent of 2.964 Hectares in S.No.01 of Thumbali Village, Jiyyammavalasa Mandal, Vizianagaram District under A.P. Minor Mineral Concession Rules 1966 in terms of G.O. Ms. No. 57 Industries and Commerce (M.ll) Department dated 18-04-2025. lA NO: 1 OF 2025 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the writ petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the respondents to consider the application dated 04-03-2021 made by the petitioner for grant of quarry lease for Road Metal and Building Stone over an extent of 2.964 Hectares in S.No.01 of Thumbali Village, Jiyyammavalasa Mandal, Vizianagaram District under A.P. Minor Mineral Concession Rules 1966 in terms of G.O. Ms. No. 57 Industries and Commerce (M.ll) Department dated 18-04-2025, pending disposal of the above writ petition. Counsel for the Petitioner: Ms. KAVITHA GOTTIPATI Counsel for the Respondents: GP FOR MINES AND GEOLOGY The Court made the following order: APHC010296452025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3458] ■1?. FRIDAY, THE TWENTY SEVENTH DAY OF JUNE TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 15105 of 2025 Between: Sundeep Ravindra Engineers and Contractors AND The State of Andhra Pradesh and others Counsel for the Petitioner: Counsel for the Respondents: The Court made the following order: ...Petitioner ...Respondents Kavitha Gottipati GP for Mines and Geology Heard Ms. Kavitha Gottipati, learned counsel for the petitioner and Smt. Sudeepthi Potluri, learned Assistant Government Pleader for Mines and Geology appearing for the respondents. The present writ petition is filed challenging the action of the respondents in not disposing of the application of the petitioner dated 04.03.2021 for grant of quarry lease for Road Metal and Building Stone over an extent of 2.964 Hectares in Sy.No.1 of Thumbali Village, Jiyyammavalasa Mandal, Vizianagaram District under A.P. Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966 and in terms of G.O.Ms.No.57 Industries and Commerce (M.ll) Department dated 18.04.2025. 2. 2 3. It is contended that the petitioner has applied for a quarry lease for Road Metal and Building Stone over an extent of 3.00 hectares in Sy.No.01 of Thumbali Village, Jiyyammavalasa Mandal, Vizianagaram District. 4. It is stated that pursuant to the said application the Tahsildar, Jiyyammavalasa Mandal, submitted a report stating No Objection for quarry lease in favour of the petitioner. 5. Based on the same, the technical staff of the department identified and demarcated the land over an extent of 2.964 hectares for of granting the quarry lease. However, the said application was not processed further by the Assistant Director of Mines and Geology, Vizianagaram. 6. It is contended that subsequently, vide G.O.Ms.No.13 and 14, dated 14.03.2022, the 1®‘ respondent proposed amendments to the A.P. Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966, to the effect that quarry leases in respect of minor minerals over Government land shall be granted through an e-auction process. Consequently, applications filed prior to the said G.O.Ms.No.13 rendered invalid. were 7. However, under the new Minor Mineral Policy, 2025, introduced vide G.O.Ms.No.57 Industries and Commerce (M.ll) Department dated 18.04.2025, it is provided that under the said G.O. pending applications as on 13.03.2022 shall be considered for grant of lease, subject to payment of one-time annual dead rent as a security deposit. 3 It is contended by the learned counsel for the petitioner that, pursuant to the new Minor Mineral Policy, 2025, the petitioner submitted a representation to respondent Nos.2 and 3, to consider its application dated 04.03.2021 for the grant of quarry lease of Road Metal and Building Stone. However, it is stated that the said representation has not been considered so far. 8. Having regard to the submissions made, this Court deems it appropriate to dispose of the writ petition with a direction to the respondents to pass appropriate orders on the application filed by the petitioner, dated 04.03.2021, in accordance with law, after providing an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner, within three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. 9. Accordingly the writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to 10. costs. As a sequel, miscellaneous applications pending, if any, shall also stand closed. Sd/- N. NAGAMMA ASSISTANT REGISTRAR / //TRUE COPY// SECC^'t5FRCER To, 1. The Principal Secretary, Mines and Geology Department, State of Andbra Pradesh, Velagapudi, Amaravati, Guntur District. 2. The Director of Mines and Geology, Ibrahimpatnam, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. 3. The District Mines and Geology Officer, Vizianagaram, Vizianagaram District, A.P. 4. The District Mines and Geology Officer, Parvathipuram, Parvathipuram Manyam District, A.P. 5. One CC to Ms. Kavitha Gottipati, Advocate [OPUC] 6. Two CCs to GP for Mines and Geology, High Court of Andhra Pradesh [OUT] 7. Two CD Copies Cnr Note.The words dated.04.03.2021, petitioner, dated.04.03.2021,” in paragraph No.9 in order portion as per Court Order dated.11.08.2025 in lA. No.2 of 2025. Substitute this amended order in place of earlier order which was dispatched on 24.07.2025. renewal application filed by the petitioner, application filed by the it 99 is corrected as it Sd/- N. NAGAMMA ASSISTANT REGISTRAR HIGH COURT DATED:27/06/2025 11/08/2025 AMENDED ORDER WP NO. 15105 OF 2025 g( 14 AUG 2025 S' irrentSectii ★ J DISPOSING OF THE W.P. WITHOUT COSTS