( 1 ) (A) The land in survey No. 7 of Gandlepalli village, situated with in Gandlepalli Reserve Forest, contains limestone (Slabs), which is a minor mineral. Several persons applied for mining leases, in respect of the said land. The grant of leases with respect to minor minerals is governed by the Andhra Pradesh Minor Minerals Concession Rules 1966 framed by the State Government under S. 15 of the Mines and Minerals (Regulations and Development) Act, 1957. The appropriate authority to grant the mining leases under these rules is the Assistant Director or the Deputy Director, as the case may be. The competent authority granted four leases in respect of Ac. 25-00, Ac. 35-00, Ac. 10-00 and Ac. 15-00 respectively in survey No. 7 in favour of M/s. Anupama Minerals M/s. Anupama Minerals, D. Vital Goud and Mallaiah Goud respectively under his orders dated 11-12-1975, 10-4-1975, 10-4-1975 and 11-12-1975 respectively, for a period of five years. Two more leases were granted on 3-7-1978 in respect of Ac. 16-00 and Ac. 20-00 in favour of Sri Mohd. Rahmutulla Khan and M/s Kalings Shabad Stone Co-operative labour Contract Society, Indanoor respectively for a period of five yea