M. Katju and V. N. Singh, JJ.

1. HEARD counsel.

2. PETITIONER has prayed for grant of mining lease. Under Article 14 of the Constitution of India and as per the decision of the Supreme Court in Ramanna's case, AIR 1979 SC 1628, mining lease can be granted only after advertising the same in well known newspapers having wide circulation and thereafter holding public auction/ tender in which eligible people can participate. Any other procedure would violate the provisions of Article 14 of the Constitution of India. In case the petitioner is eligible, he can participate in such auction.

The petition is disposed of with the above observations.