JUDGMENT :

1. The petitioner approached the Senior Geologist for issuance of a letter of intent for conducting quarrying operations in 0.5886 hectors of land comprised in Sy.Nos.462/1-18-1, 462/1-5B-12 and 462/1-6B-13 of Pindimana Village in Kothamangalam Taluk in Ernakulam district, belonging to him. On 23.11.2017, the Senior Geologist granted a letter of intent to the petitioner, subject to the condition that the petitioner obtains all the required licenses and permits as per the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2015 (hereinafter referred to as 2015 Rules). On 22.2.2018, the petitioner submitted Ext.P2 application before the 2nd respondent, for environmental clearance (hereinafter referred to as EC). The 2nd respondent took up the application for appraisal in its meeting held on 6.4.2018 and thereafter on 3.5.2018. The minutes of the said meetings have been produced as Exts.P3 and P4. After considering the proposal and the report of the Committee and after scrutiny, the 2nd respondent as per Ext.P4 decided to recommend the grant of EC to the petitioner. The grievance of the petitioner is that even though such a recommendation was made, orders granting EC were not issued with