( 1 ) IN the above group of case, the lessees of various types of stone (minor minerals) have approached this Court under Art. 226 of the Constitution to interdict the State of Andhra Pradesh not to collect "dead rent" from them. In the petition lodged on September 4, 1977, M. V. Subba Rao, is the lessee for black granite stone; whereas in the petition lodged on december, 8, 1977, the following firms; M/s- Road Metal Industries; M/s. Mahaveer Metal Industries; Hyderabed Metal Industries; Fine Granite pvt. Ltd. , and Superfine Crusker are lessees of granite stone. In the petition lodged on December 18, 1978, M. V. Krishna Rao is the lessee for black rough stone. All these lessees make a common cause against the state Government when "dead rent" is demanded for them undet the Mine and Minaral (Regulation and Development) Act, Act 67 of 195? (the act. ). Dead Rent to be precise is sought to be collected from them under rules promulgated on September, 4, 1977. The rules are known as Mineral concessions rules of 1966 (The Rule ). Rule 10 of the Rules pertains to dead rent and is substituted from March 25, 1977. The rule prescribed levy of dead rent if it is highter than the