APHC010641942025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI W.P(PIL).No.227 of 2025 Bench Sr.No:-23 [3584] Ravela Prem Raj ...Petitioner Vs. State of Andhra Pradesh and another ...Respondents ********** CORAM : THE CHIEF JUSTICE LISA GILL SRI JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN DATE : 7th September 2026 Present : Advocate for Petitioner : Sri Kallemu Vijaya Raju Advocate for Respondents : Learned Government Pleader for Mines and Geology LISA GILL, CJ. Prayer in this Writ Petition filed in the nature of public interest reads as under:- “…..to issue a writ or order more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ: (i) To curb large scale illegal mining of minor minerals that’s taking place across the State for the last several years by political class and mining mafia who have been controlling the prices of these minor minerals; (ii) To direct respondents 1 & 2 to regulate the supply and availability of the minor minerals at affordable prices to the common public who cannot bear the high cost of materials like sand, gravel, building stones etc; (iii) declaring the inaction and inordinate delay of Respondent No.1 & 2 in complying with the G.O.Ms.No.100, Dt.26.06.2025 and failing 2 HCJ & CGR, J W.P(PIL).No.227 of 2025 to issue the required detailed instructions even after five months of the G.O. issuance for considering pending applications as on 13.03.2022 for grant of quarry leases as arbitrary and illegal; (iv) directing the 1st Respondent to issue detailed instructions to the 2nd Respondent for considering the pending applications for grant of quarry Leases immediately.” 2. Learned counsel for petitioner, at the outset, submits that he has instructions not to press prayer (i) and (ii). 3. Insofar as remaining prayer regarding issuance of detailed instructions for considering pending applications by Department for grant of quarry lease, it is specifically stated in counter affidavit dated 08.08.2026 filed by respondent No.2 that G.O.Ms.No.57, Industries & Commerce (Mines-III), dated 18.04.2025 was issued introducing Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Policy, 2025 whereby, an extremely balanced one time mechanism for disposal of applications pending as on 13.03.2022 was promulgated. Interest of applicants under the earlier regime was also safeguarded while simultaneously ensuring a smooth transition to an auction based system. It is further stated as under:- “7. It is respectfully submitted that the policy decision contained in G.O.Ms.No.57 was thereafter operationalised through G.O.Ms.No.100 dated 26.06.2025 by inserting Rule 12(2A) into the Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966. The said Rule comprehensively prescribes the eligibility criteria, order of priority, payment of security amount, timelines, financial requirements and the circumstances under which an application becomes ineligible. The 3 HCJ & CGR, J W.P(PIL).No.227 of 2025 statutory Rule therefore occupies the entire field relating to disposal of pending applications. 8. It is respectfully submitted that Rule 12(2A) is a self-contained statutory provision governing the disposal of pending applications. The Rule itself prescribes the complete procedure for consideration of such applications and nowhere contemplates that issuance of separate executive instructions is a condition precedent for implementation of the statutory mechanism. The very foundation of the present writ petition is therefore contrary to the statutory scheme. 10. It is respectfully submitted that every pending application is independently scrutinised by the competent authority with reference to the statutory parameters prescribed under Rule 12(2A). Such scrutiny includes verification of payment of application fee and security amount, correctness of survey particulars, coordinates, extent, land classification, availability of free area and other statutory requirements before any further action is taken. Only applications satisfying all the prescribed conditions are processed further. 12. It is respectfully submitted that the allegation of administrative inaction is factually incorrect. Pursuant to implementation of the policy, approximately 1,791 applications have been registered under the reintroduced application route, more than 350 Letters of Intent have been issued, over 450 quarry leases have been granted and approximately Rs.172 Crores has been realised towards premium. The Department has also introduced an online workflow with periodic district-level monitoring to ensure timely processing of applications and issuance of No Objection Certificates.” 4. Learned Government Pleader for Mines and Geology further submits that District Mines and Geology Officers are regularly processing eligible applications strictly in accordance with Rule 12(2A) of Andhra Pradesh Minor 4 HCJ & CGR, J W.P(PIL).No.227 of 2025 Mineral Concession Rules, 1966 and statutory mechanism is fully operational. There is, thus, no ground for continuation of present proceedings. 5. Learned counsel for petitioner submits that in view of counter affidavit dated 08.08.2026 filed by respondent No.2, proceedings in present writ petition may accordingly be closed. 6. Writ Petition is, accordingly, closed. No order as to costs. Miscellaneous Petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. LISA GILL, CJ CHALLA GUNARANJAN, J AMD Whether the order is Speaking/Reasoned : Yes / No Whether the order is Reportable : Yes / No 5 HCJ & CGR, J W.P(PIL).No.227 of 2025 99 HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE LISA GILL, CHIEF JUSTICE & HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE CHALLA GUNARANJAN W.P(PIL).No.227 of 2025 Dt:07.09.2026 AMD