Judgment

AYYANGAR, J. : Civil Appeal No. 115 is by special leave granted by this Court under Art. 136 of the Constitution and is against an order of the Union of India (Ministry of Steel, Mines and Fuel) dated July 9, 1958 rejecting an application filed by the appellants under Rule 57 of the Mineral Concession Rules 1949 to review an order passed by the Government of Madhya Pradesh rejecting their application for the renewal of the Certificate of Approval granted to them. The appellants filed a petition to the High Court Punjab under Art. 226 of the Constitution praying for a writ of certiorari to quash the above order of the Union of India. This petition was dismissed by the High Court in limine and Civil Appeal No. 116 of 1963 is by special leave of this Court against this order of the High Court, Punjab. It would thus be seen that both the appeals are directed to challenge the validity of the same order and we shall therefore deal with them together.

2. The appellants, who constitute a partnership, are engaged, inter alia in the business of mining and they held a prospecting licence in the State of Madhya Pradesh. They hold concessions in regard to prospecting and working mineral