In these writ petitions, petitioners challenge the orders revising the stamp duty and demanding registration fee on the lease agreements entered into by the petitioners with the Assistant Director of Mines and Geology-4th respondent in WP Nos.25723, 25826 and 30914 of 2008 and 2nd respondent in WP No.23710 of 2008.

2. For the sake of convenience, the facts in Writ Petition No.25723 of 2008 are considered. The Convener of Mahaboobnagar District Level Sand Committee published Notification No.3594/SAND/06, dated 11.6.2007 inviting the sealed tenders/public auction for leasing out the right of quarrying for the sand at various places in the district as notified (Ex.P2 at Page No.13 of the paper book). Petitioner participated for Ankilla and Veeranagar Villages of Koihisagar Project, Koilkonda Mandal, Mahaboobnagar District (Item 8 of the notification). Auctions were conducted on 28.6.2007. Petitioner stood as highest bidder. By proceedings dated 5.7.2007, District Collector confirmed the auction in favour of petitioner; petitioner was asked to deposit Rs.5,65,200/- towards stamps and an additional amount towards security deposit. Consequent to depositing of the above amounts, an