THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE K. LAKSHMAN

COMMON ORDER:

Heard Sri D.Y.N.L.N. Charyulu, learned counsel for petitioners, learned Assistant Government Pleaders for Mines & Geology and Revenue appearing for respondent Nos.1, 2 & 4 and respondent Nos.3, 5 & 6, respectively, and learned counsel for 7^th respondent.

2. Petitioner in Writ Petition No.6777 of 2025 is an Ex-Sarpanch of Thonda Village, Tirumalagiri Mandal, Suryapet District, whereas, petitioners in Writ Petition No.9120 of 2025 are residents of aforesaid Village.

3. According to petitioners, 7^th respondent, M/s. Patel Granites, has been conducting quarrying operations without following due procedure laid down under law. Therefore, they have submitted representations dated 27.01.2024 to 3^rd and 4^th respondents with a request to take action against 7^th respondent. They have also marked copies of the same to respondent Nos.2, 5 and 6. Respondent Nos.2 to 6 did not act upon the same. Therefore, aggrieved by the said action of respondent Nos.2 to 6, petitioners filed the present Writ Petition.

4. In Writ Petition No.6777 of 2025, 4^th respondent, Assistant Director of Mines and Geology, Suryapet, has filed counter affidavit contending that vide proceedings dated 17.05.2023, 2^nd respondent, Director of Mines and Geology, Hyderabad, had granted a quarry lease in favour of 7^th respondent in respect of land to an extent of 4.576 Hectares in Survey No.98 (Government Land) of Thonda Village, for colour granite, for a period of 20 years. Vide proceedings dated 14.07.2023, the said lease was duly executed by the Office of 4^th respondent for the lease period commencing from 14.07.2023 to 13.07.2043. The lessee is in possession of all requisite statutory approvals. It is further contended that lessee has failed to pay an amount of Rs.8,23,680/- towards Annual Dead Rent (ADR) for the Financial Year 2024-25 and accordingly, determination proposals have been submitted to

2^nd respondent and orders are awaited.

5. It is also contended that pursuant to an inspection conducted by technical staff of 4^th respondent on 28.02.2025, following observations were made regarding the quarry lease area.

• The subject quarry lease area comprises hill terrain trending in the Northwest-Southeast direction with an approximate elevation of 8-10 meters from the general ground level.

• The inspection and survey revealed the following encroachments and developments.

• Edu Dodla Maisamma temple has been constructed by local villagers in the central portion of the quarry lease area in the year 2023.

• A segregation shed has been constructed within the quarry lease area in the Southeast direction.

• A dumping yard has been established in immediate adjacency to the quarry lease on the Southeast side.

• Raithu Vedika, IKP Centre, and Kreeda Pranganam have been established at a distance of approximately 45 meters on the southern side of the quarry lease area.

• The proposed Integrated Residential School Complex (IRSC), with an estimated cost of Rs.330 crores, covering an extent of Ac.20.30 Guntas, is situated on the Eastern side of the quarry lease without maintaining the requisite safety distance.

Thus, all the aforementioned structures and developments were established subsequent to issuance of No Objection Certificate bearing No.B1/1917/2018 dated 23.10.2018 by

6^th respondent.

6. Learned Assistant Government Pleader for Revenue has produced copy of written instructions of 6^th respondent wherein it is stated that vide proceedings bearing Rc.No.B/520/2024, proposals were submitted for establishment of Integrated Residential School Complex in respect of land to an extent of Acs.20.10 guntas in Survey No.98 of Thonda Village, not having the cognizance of grant of lease in favour of 7^th respondent for a period of 20 years. Thereafter, 6^th respondent has addressed a letter dated 28.10.2024 to 3^rd respondent, District Collector, Suryapet, stating that 4^th respondent has requested to leave sufficient buffer zone along the border to the exist