JUDGMENT

SUJATA V. MANOHAR, J.

( 1 ) LEAVE granted.

( 2 ) THIS appeal by special leave is filed at the instance of the State of orissa against an order of a division bench of the High court of orissa holding that awrit application filed by the State of orissa under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking to challenge the decision of the central government dated 10/5/1978 in Revision Application No. 2/299/77-MV, was not maintainable, The facts giving rise to this appeal are as follows:

( 3 ) THE State of orissa is the owner of mines and minerals within its territorial jurisdiction. The grant by the State of mining leases and licences is regulated by the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act, 1957 and the Mineral Concession Rules, 1960. The State of orissa had granted a mining lease for manganese ore over an area of 830 acres in Village Balda under Champua Sub-Division of Keonjhar District in the State of orissa to one M/s Serajuddin and Co. for a term of 20 years effective from 3/12/1957. Subsequently on 2/6/1962 a coterminous mining lease for iron ore over the above area was also executed in favour of M/s Serajuddin and Co. Both these leases we