period. The petitioner immediately came up before this Court in the present writ petition praying for extension of the said period. During pendency of the writ petition an order was issued by the Department of Industry, Commerce and Enterprise, Mines Branch, Government of West Bengal on 28th February, 2022 declaring that all sand mining leases expiring till April, 2022 are extended till 31st May, 2022. The petitioner submitted a representation in this regard before the concerned authority on 11th January, 2022 which is yet to be considered. The petitioner prays for a direction upon the authority to consider the said representation in terms of the order of the Government of West Bengal dated 28th February, 2022 by virtue of which the petitioner, though entitled to carry on mining operation till 31st May, 2022, was unable to do so as the authority refrained from issuing road challan in his favour. Learned counsel further submits that the sand mining policy introduced by a notification issued on 30th July, 2021 is a general guideline whereas the subsequent order passed on 28th February, 2022 was issued to combat the adverse situation which arose due to COVID – 19 pandemic. As such, the petitioner is entitled to extension of the deed of lease in terms of the order dated 28th February, 2022.
