JUDGMENT :

The present writ petition was initially filed for quashing the letter dated 27.12.2019 issued by the respondent Special Secretary-cum-Director, Mines & Geology Department, in exercise of Rule 77(2) of the Bihar Minerals (Concession, Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation & Storage) Rules, 2019 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Rules, 2019’) whereby the settlement period of settlees of sand ghat in the State of Bihar, which was ending on 31.12.2019, had been extended till 31.10.2020, as also to direct the respondents to allow the petitioner to conduct the mining activity at the Aurangabad Sone sand ghat bearing no. 32. The petitioner had also prayed to hold that the settlement term of the respondent no. 8 cannot be extended and no other person can be allowed to conduct mining of sand in the District of Aurangabad without having obtained an environmental clearance from the competent authority. Subsequently the petitioner had also prayed for quashing the decision of the Government of Bihar dated 29.12.2020 whereby the settlement period of the existing settlees of sand ghat in the State of Bihar has been extended till 30.03.2021. However, with the efflux of time, the pet