(Chief Justice & T.S. Sivagnanam )

1. The State has preferred these appeals against the orders dated 22.7.2011 and 21.9.2011 passed in W.P. Nos.23700 of 2010 and 26358 of 2010 respectively.

2. In W.P. No.23700 of 2010, the petitioner sought a direction to the District Collector, Kancheepuram to grant him permission to carry on quarrying operations in respect ofthe Stone Quarry No.2 situated in Survey No.25/2B over an extent of 2.50.0 hectares in Thirusoolam Village, Tambaram Taluk, Kancheepuram District for a period of 18 months, for which the quarrying was suspended.

3. In W.P. No.26358 of 2010, the prayer was for a direction to the District Collector, Villupuram to grant quarrying lease for a further period of ten months in respect of the rough stone quarry measuring an extent of 1.62.0 hectares comprised in Survey No.49 part in the Government Poromboke land in Senalur Village, Tindivanam Taluk, Villupuram District.

4. The petitioners were successful bidders in the auctions conducted by the respondents for quarrying of stone in Kancheepuram and Villupuram Districts respectively. They were initially granted lease for a period of five years after having paid the lease am