A. Ramalingeswara Rao, J.

1. Heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner, learned Government Pleader for respondent Nos. 1 to 3, and the learned Counsel for the fourth respondent.

2. The fourth respondent applied for grant of quarry lease on 28.12.1998 over an extent of 1 hectare for black granite in S.No. Unsurveyed Area of Gudipala Village and Mandal, Chittoor District. The application of the fourth respondent was referred to the Mandal Revenue Officer for his report. The Mandal Revenue Officer, through his letter Ref.No.ROC-HDT/10/99, dated 20.01.1999, stated that the applied area in the survey number of unreserved forest of Gudipala Village and Mandal, is classified as Chithapara Forest Reserve as per the revenue records. Based on the said report, the application of the fourth respondent was recommended to the second respondent for rejection by the third respondent. In pursuance of the recommendation of the third respondent, the second respondent issued a show cause notice on 08.06.1999. The fourth respondent submitted an explanation stating that they would submit no objection certificate from the Forest Department as the said matter was with the District Forest Officer (