ORDER

The petitioner has filed this special leave petition against the judgment of the High Court of Punjab & Haryana made on July 9, 1996 in CWP No. 9624 of 1996. The petitioner had applied for mining lease and the prospecting licence claiming that he had discovered limestone minerals in Bhemdemti Dostpur, Mohindergarh District in the State of Haryana. The Government has notified that area under Rule 59 of the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960. The petitioner challenged the reservation of the area in revision before the Central Government and prayed for grant of the lease in his favour. The Mines Tribunal of the Central Government while setting aside the notification issued by the State Government, declined to grant mining lease to the petitioner stating that the State Government had done so in its discretion and that the Central Government would not curtail the said discretion as it is its property. The High Court dismissed the writ petition in limine. Hence this special leave petition.

2. Shri Rohtagi, learned counsel for the petitioner, placing reliance on sub-section (2) of Section 11 of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation & Development) Act, 1957, contended that the petitioner hav