JUDGMENT :

Madhuresh Prasad, J.

1. Learned counsel for the parties are present today when the matter is listed For Judgment in actual physical Court proceedings after having been heard earlier through virtual mode.

2. The petitioner is a settlee of Sand Mining Lease in the two districts of Jamui and Luckeesarai for the period 2016 - 2019.

3. The prayer made in the writ petition is for quashing of

(i) Letter dated 27.12.2019 (Annexure P/32) whereby the Government has taken a policy decision for extension of the terms of lease of the existing settlees of sand ghats, subject to enhancement of 50% of the settlement amount.

(ii) quashing of Memo dated 31.10.2019 whereby petitioner's prayer for extension of the terms of its lease was rejected by the Department.

(iii) to treat the petitioner's operative settlement to be three years from the date of issuance of "work order" and consequential reliefs.

4. On behalf of the petitioner, learned Senior Counsel Mr Shashi Anugrah Narain has made submissions. Mr Brij Bihari Tiwary, learned Special PP (Mines) has appeared for the Mines Department. Mr Gyan Prakash Ojha, learned GA VII has appeared for the State Government.

5. The brief facts relevant to the