APHC010574372025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3458] FRIDAY, THE THIRTY FIRST DAY OF OCTOBER TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY FIVE PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 29904/2025 Between: 1. J DEVARAJA NAIDU, S/O.LATE RAMACHANDRA NAIDU AGED ABOUT 58 YRS,R/O.2-45, OFFICERS LANE, GURUNAGAR COLONY, CHITTOOR, CHITTOOR DISTRICT. ...PETITIONER AND 1. THE STATE OF AP, REP BY ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, MINES AND GEOLOGY DEPARTMENT, VELAGAPUDI, GUNTUR DISTRICT. 2. THE DIRECTOR OF MINES AND GEOLOGY, 5TH FLOOR, BLOCK- B,SRI ANJANEYA TOWERS,IBRAHIMPATNAM, VIJAYAWADA,KRISHNA DISTRICT. 3. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MINES AND GEOLOGY CUM THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR MINES AND GEOLOGY, CHITTOOR, CHITTOOR DISTRICT. ...RESPONDENT(S): 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 an appropriate writ, order or direction more particularly one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in not processing the quarry lease application vide Application.No.3614/Q1/2018 dated 27.04.2018 for grant of quarry lease over an extent of 6.970 hectors in new survey No.281, Gap Area situated in Narasimhapuram Village, Palasamudram Mandal in-spite of payment of 2 Rs.9,06,100/- towards 1 year Dead rent as Security deposit and an amount Rs.2,500/- towards difference of Application Fee as per GOMs No.100 (Industries and Commerce(Mines-ll) Department, dated 26.06.2025 is illegal arbitrary and voilative of Article 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents to process the application of the petitioner vide Application.No.36 14/Q1/2018 dated 27.04.2018 in respect of the quarry lease to the petitioner over land to an extent of 6.970 hectors in new survey No.281, Gap Area situated in Narasimhapuram Village, Palasamudram Mandal and pass IA NO: 1 OF 2025 Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the Respondents to process the quarry lease application vide Application.NO.3614/Q1/2018 dated 27.04.2018 in respect of land to an extent of 6.970 hectors in new survey No.281, Gap Area situated in Narasimhapuram Village, Palasamudram Mandal, pending disposal of the Writ Petition and pass Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. J M NAIDU Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. GP FOR MINES AND GEOLOGY The Court made the following: ORDER: Heard the submissions of Sri J.M. Naidu, learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Mines and Geology for the respondents. 2. The grievance of the petitioner is that the inaction of the respondents in not processing the quarry lease application filed by the petitioner, dated 27.04.2018. 3 3. It is contended that the petitioner has applied for quarry lease for Colour Granite over an extent of Ac.6.970 Hectors in Sy.No.Gap Area of Narasimhapuram Village, Palasamudaram Mandal, Chittoor District vide Application No.3614/Q1/2018, dated 27.04.2018. In pursuant of the same, the respondent No.3 has sought NOC for the applied area by the petitioner and the Tahsildar, Palasamudaram Mandal has also issued NOC to the petitioner. However, the respondents have not granted a quarry lease in favour of the petitioner. During the interregnum, the respondent No.1 issued G.O.Ms.Nos.13 & 14 in the year, 2022. In light of the same, all pending applications were considered ineligible. It is further contended that subsequently G.O.Ms.No.100, dated 26.06.2025 was issued for disposal of pending applications. 4. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that in terms of the said G.O.Ms. No.100, all the pending applications for grant of quarry lease for minor minerals listed in Schedule IV which are pending as on 13.03.2022 shall become eligible, irrespective of any ineligible orders issued after the introduction of Andhra Pradesh Minor Mineral Auction Rules, 2022. Seeking consideration of the petitioner’s application in terms of G.O.Ms.No.100, dated 26.06.2025, the petitioner filed the instant Writ Petition. 5. When the matter is being taken up for consideration today, the learned Assistant Government Pleader for Mines and Geology has placed before the Court a copy of instructions received by her in the case. A perusal of the same would reflect that pursuant to the quarry lease application, the 4 petitioner has also paid difference application fee and one time annual dead rent (Security Deposit amount). 6. Having regard to the contentions advanced, the Writ Petition is disposed of directing the respondent No.3 to pass appropriate orders on the application of the petitioner, dated 27.04.2018 in terms of G.O.Ms.No.100, as expeditiously as possible within a period of eight (08) weeks from the date of receipt of the order. 7. With the above observation, the Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. As a sequel, all pending miscellaneous applications shall stand closed. ______________________________ JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA Date: 31.10.2025 MSI 5 THE HONOURABLE SMT JUSTICE KIRANMAYEE MANDAVA WRIT PETITION NO: 29904/2025 Date: 31.10.2025 MSI