Under Rule 12(4)(3) of the AP Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966, a quarry lease is deemed extended if a renewal application is filed within the stipulated time but remains undisposed of by the competent authority before the lease's expiry.

Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed therewith, the High Court may be pleased to issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, declaring the action of the Respondents in not processing and granting the 1st renewal of the Quarry Lease for Road Metal and Building Stone over an extent of 1.40 Hectares in Sy. No. 01 of Marturu Village, Anakapalli Mandal and District, in spite of the direction of the 2nd respondent in Memo. 11879409/D3-VSP/2026 Dated 14.02.2026 as illegal, arbitrary, and violative of the Petitioner's fundamental and legal rights consequently, direct the Respondents to forthwith process the Petitioner's renewal application and pass final orders granting the 1st renewal of the said quarry lease for a period of 15 years w.e.f. 01.04.2023, in accordance with Rule 12(4)(b) and 12(4)(c)(iii) of the APMMC Rules, 1966, as amended by G.O.Ms.No.100, dated 26.06.2025 in the light of the Memo. 11879409/D3-VSP/2026 Dated. 14.02.2026 issued by the 2nd respondent and pass

IA NO: 1 OF 2026

Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to direct the Respondents to forthwith process the Petitioner's renewal application and pass final orders granting the 1st renewal of the said quarry lease for a period of 15 years w.e.f. 01.04.2023, in accordance with Rule 12(4)(b) and 12(4)(c)(iii) of the APMMC Rules, 1966, as amended by G.O.Ms.No.100, dated 26.06.2025 in the light of the Memo: 11879409/D3-VSP/2026 Dated: 14.02.2026 issued by the 2nd respondent pending disposal of the above writ petition and pass

Counsel for the Petitioner:

1. V SAI KUMAR

Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. GP FOR MINES AND GEOLOGY

The Court made the following:

ORDER:-

The instant writ petition has been filed by the petitioner under Article 226 of Constitution of India seeking the following main prayer:

“….to issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction, declaring the action of the Respondents in not processing and granting the 1st renewal of the Quarry Lease for Road Metal and Building Stone over an extent of 1.40 Hectares in Sy. No. 01 of Marturu Village, Anakapalli Mandal and District, in spite of the direction of the 2nd respondent in Memo. 11879409/D3-VSP/2026 Dated 14.02.2026 as illegal, arbitrary, and violative of the Petitioner's fundamental and legal rights consequently, direct the Respondents to forthwith process the Petitioner's renewal application and pass final orders granting the 1st renewal of the said quarry lease for a period of 15 years w.e.f. 01.04.2023, in accordance with Rule 12(4)(b) and 12(4)(c)(iii) of the APMMC Rules, 1966, as amended by G.O.Ms.No.100, dated 26.06.2025 in the light of the Memo. 11879409/D3-VSP/2026 Dated. 14.02.2026 issued by the 2nd respondent and pass….”

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard learned Assistant Government Pleader for Mines and Geology and perused the material on record.

The writ petition is filed aggrieved by the in action of the respondent Nos.3 and 4 in considering the application in the Form-B of the petitioner dated 04.5.2022 for renewal of quarry lease to quarry road metal and building stone to an extent of 1.400 Hectares in Survey No.1 of Maruturu Village, Anakapalli Mandal and District, even after completion of all formalities as mandated under the A.P. Minor Mineral Concession Rules 1966 which leads to prejudice to the rights of the petitioner.

He further relied upon Rule 12(4)(3) of A.P. Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966 as inserted by virtue of G.O.Ms.No.100 dated 26.06.2025 issued by the Government of Andhra Pradesh wherein Rule 12(4)(3) specifically enunciate the procedure to process the renewal and its pre-requisites. By relying on the said Rules, learned counsel for the petitioner prays thi