1. - This batch of 22 writ petitions is being disposed of by common order since the controversy involved in these cases is common and the facts of Writ Petition No. 8830/2011 (Meenakshi Metacast (P) Ltd. v. State of Rajasthan & ors.) are illustratively taken for the said purpose.

2. The petitioners came to this Court challenging the impugned order issued by the Deputy Secretary, Mining Department, Govt. of Rajasthan on 10/3/2010 (Ann Ex. 6) reserving the notified Scheduled Tribe areas for mining of major minerals for which Reconnaissance Permits/Prospecting License/ Mining Lease in the specified areas of the State of Rajasthan are to be notified in which the backward class people of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe and other Tribal people live and to allow the mining of minerals reserved in the said notified area only to the Govt. of Rajasthan Undertaking, namely; Rajasthan State Mines & Mineral Limited ('RSMM' for short).

3. The petitioners, the private miners or applicants, applied for the mining lease and prospecting licenses in the said reserved area prior to this impugned order dated 10/3/2010 in the year 2008 itself along with the prescribed fee of Rs. 5,000/- but