S. B. SINHA, C. J.

( 1 ) IN these writ petitions, the petitioners have sought for a declaration that the various orders issued by the State government in G. O. Ms. No. 1, dated 1-1-2001, G. O. Ms. No. 356 dated 22-11-1999, g. O. Ms. No. 183, dated 1-3-2000 and g. O. Ms. No. 165 dated 23-2-2000 of the industries and Commerce (Mines I) department are arbitrary, illegal and violative of Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the constitution of India and for a further declaration that they are beyond the legislative competence and rule making power of the State, conferred by virtue of mines and Minerals (Regulation and development) Act, 1957 (Parliamentary act) being contrary to the objectives and provisions of the said Act.

( 2 ) BY reason of the G. O. Ms. No. 1, industries and Commerce (MI) Department dated 1-1-2001, the Governor of Andhra pradesh in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 15 of the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and development) Act, 1957 (hereinafter referred to as the said Act for the sake of brevity) made certain amendments to the a. P. Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966 (hereinafter referred to as the Rules for the sake of brevity) issued in G.

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