Village Joratarai, Tehsil and Dist.-Rajnandgaon from 24.12.2000 till 23.12.2005. The quarry lease was renewed by respondent No. 3 for a further period of five years from 24.12.2005 to 23.12.2010. According to provisions of Rule 17 of the C.G. Minor Minerals Rules, 1996 (hereinafter referred to as ‘Rules, 1996’) the petitioner was required to apply for renewal of the quarry lease one year prior to the date of its expiry. The petitioner could not move an appropriate application for renewal of the quarry lease within the prescribed period, later it was moved on 03.02.2010. The quarry lease was not renewed according to provisions of Rule 18(2) of the Rules, 1996 as it was deemed refused, therefore the petitioner filed an appeal before the Director, Directorate Of Geology and Mining/respondent No. 2 sometime in the year 2016. Respondent No. 2 vide order dated 08.08.2017 directed the Collector, District Rajnandgaon to decide the renewal application of the petitioner according to prevalent provisions of the C.G. Minor Mineral Rules, 2015 (hereinafter referred to as Rules, 2015). Respondent No. 4 sought instruction from the higher authorities to approve the quarry plan vide letter dated 31.01.2018. Respondent No. 1 vide letter dated 18.06.2018 held that the application for renewal of quarry lease was moved after the lapse of one and a half months from 23.12.2010 and according to provisions of Rule 18(2) of the Rules, 1996 it was deemed refused. The petitioner challenged the order dated 18.06.2018 passed by respondent No. 1 on 05.07.2018 for compliance with the order dated 08.08.2017 and vide order dated 06.10.2018, respondent No. 1 dismissed the appeal and declined to comply with the order passed by respondent No. 2 dated 08.08.2017 and also set aside the very order. The petitioner has challenged the order dated 06.10.2018 passed by respondent No. 1 in this petition.
