Order

20/09/2024

1. All these writ petitions involve identical facts and grounds and therefore, are being decided conjointly.

2. For the purpose of clarity and convenience, the facts of S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 10181/2024 titled as Rahul Vyas vs. State of Rajasthan & Ors. are being taken into consideration.

3. The petitioner submitted an application for grant of mining lease on 18.06.2013 for the area ad-measuring 4.5 hectares near Village Parewar, Tehsil & District Jaisalmer for mineral Silica Sand. Petitioner’s application was processed and a Letter of Intent (for short ‘LOI’) dated 28.01.2014 came to be issued in his favour.

4. On 28.08.2015, the respondent no.4 – Additional Director (Mines) sent a communication to the petitioner to produce Environmental Clearance as per the Notification dated 07.10.2014 issued by the Central Government so also to deposit FDR of Rs. 75,000/-. Before needful could be done, the mineral – Silica Sand [which was major mineral and covered by the provisions of The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘MMDR’)] came to be declared as ‘minor mineral’ and thus, governed by Rajasthan Minor Mineral Conces