ORDER:

This writ petition is filed seeking a Mandamus declaring the action of the respondents in deducting amounts towards District Mineral Foundation Fees and 2% State Mineral Exploration Trust from the running bills payable to the petitioner as being illegal, arbitrary etc., and for a consequential direction to the respondents not to deduct 30% towards District Mineral Foundation Fees and 2% Trust charges.

This Court has heard Sri N.Subba Rao, learned counsel for the petitioner and Smt. K.Aruna, standing counsel for the respondent-Railways.

As per the learned counsel, the petitioner (M/s.

KVRECPL-IRP Infra Tech (JV) before this Court is a contractor. Pursuant to tender notification of August, 2015, the contractor submitted a bid and is finalized in their favour. A letter of intent was issued to them in April, 2016. The petitioner commenced the work. However, in March, 2016, (which is after the submission of the tender and before its finalization), the Government issued G.O.Ms.No.36 dated 14.03.2016 permitting the levy of certain charges which are now the subject matter of the dispute. Sri N.Subba Rao, learned counsel points out that after the G.O. was issued, a letter dated 06.10.201