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Madras High CourtWP/1926/2026disposed of

M/S. Amman Minerals v. The Additional Secretary To Government Of India

2026-01-27Honourable Ms. Justice P.T. Asha5 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 27-01-2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA M/s. Amman Minerals, Represented by its Managing Partner and Authorised Signatory P.Ranjithkumar Having Office at S.F.No.340-1 and 342 Sempagoundaputhur, Rangappanaickenpalayam Ernapurm, Namakkal 637 003.

Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The Additional Secretary to Government of India Ministry of Mines, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.

2.The Secretary to Government, Industries Government, Fort st. George, Chennai 600 009.

3.The District Collector, Collectorate, Namakkal District.

4.The Assistant Director (FAC) Geology and Mining, Namakkal.

5.The Revenue Divisional Officer, Namakkal.

Respondent(s)

PRAYER Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking to issue a writ of mandamus, directing the second to fifth respondents to consider the petitioner's application for quarrying lease dated 28.01.2025 by treating the requisition letter vide Roc.No.112/Mines/2025, dated 07.02.2025 forwarded by the fourth respondent to the fifth respondent as a "Letter of Intent" issued prior to the cut-off date of 20.02.2025 for grant of mineral concession, and consequently direct the second to fourth respondent to execute mining lease in accordance with Rule 43 of the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959 in favour of the petitioner. For Petitioner:

Mr.N.Arunachalam For Respondents:

Mr.Stalin Abhimanyu, Additional Government Pleader for R2 to R5

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking a direction to the second to fifth respondents to consider the petitioner's application for quarrying lease dated 28.01.2025 by treating the requisition letter vide Roc.No.112/Mines/2025, dated 07.02.2025 forwarded by the fourth respondent to the fifth respondent as a "Letter of Intent" issued prior to the cut-off date of 20.02.2025 for grant of mineral concession and for a consequential direction to the second to fourth respondent to execute mining lease in accordance with Rule 43 of the Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959 in favour of the petitioner.

2. The petitioner who is a partnership firm operating under the name and style "Amman Minerals" had submitted an application to the 2nd respondent

seeking grant of a quarrying lease for Quartz and Feldspar in respect of patta lands in S.F.No.340/1 and S.F.No.342 Rangappanaickerpalayam Village, Namakkal for a period of ten years as per the notification issued by the Central Government, dated 10.02.2015, which declares Barytes, Feldspar, Mica and Quartz and minor minerals. Upon scrutiny, the 4th respondent forwarded the same to the 5th respondent by way of requisition letter, calling for verification and issuance of land availability report, thereby initiating inter-departmental statutory scrutiny. In this circumstance, the central Government issued another notification dated 20.02.2025, amending the earlier notification dated 10.02.2015, reclassifying the above said minerals as Major minerals, which prevents the grant of quarrying lease in favour of the petitioner.

According to the petitioner, despite the petitioner's application dated 28.01.2025 having been forwarded for land availability report prior to the cut-off date, the respondents have failed to extend the benefit of the transitional provisions, necessitating the present writ petition.

3. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

4. Considering the limited scope of the prayer sought by the petitioner, without going into the merits of the case, this Court directs the respondents 2 to 5 to consider the application of the petitioner dated 28.01.2026 and pass

appropriate orders on merits and in accordance with law, within a period of one week from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

5. With the above direction, this writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.

27-01-2026 vum Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order To 1.The Additional Secretary To Government Of India Ministry of Mines Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.

2.The Secretary To Government Industries Government Fort st. George, Chennai 600009.

3.The District Collector Collectorate, Namakkal District.

4.The Assistant Director (fac) Geology and Mining Namakkal.

5.The Revenue Divisional Officer Namakkal.

P.T.ASHA J.

vum 27-01-2026