ORDER :

The Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act, 1957 (for short 'the MMDR Act') has seen several amendments including the amendments vide Central Act 10 of 2015 w.e.f. 12.01.2015. One such amendment was insertion of Section 10A, whereby 3 categories of persons described in Section 10A(2)(a),(b) and (c) comprising of reconnaissance permit holders who became entitled to prospecting licence followed by a mining lease and prospecting licence holders who became entitled to a mining lease, as the case may be.

2. Subsequently, by Amendment Act 16 of 2021 which came into force on 28.3.2021, Section 10A(2)(b) referred to supra was further amended by incorporating 2 provisos to the said provision. It is the interpretation of the said provisos to Section 10A(2)(b) of the MMDR Act (as amended by Act No.16 of 2021 w.e.f. 28.03.2021) and applicability of the same to the petitioners herein which falls for consideration in the present writ petitions.

Prayers in all the writ petitions

W.P.No.1920/2021 was filed on 28.01.2021 by Indocil Silicons Private Limited, seeking the following