THE HON’BLE Ms. JUSTICE G. ROHINI WRIT PETITION NO.16167 OF 2007 Dated: 30-07-2007 Between : Sri M. Srinivasulu Reddy … Petitioner And 1. The Deputy Director, Mines & Geology, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Isukathota, Visakhapatnam and another. .. Respondents THE HON’BLE Ms. JUSTICE G. ROHINI WRIT PETITION NO.16167 OF 2007 ORDER : This writ petition is filed seeking a declaration that the action of the 2nd respondent – Assistant Director of Mines & Geology, Visakhapatnam in not disposing of the petitioner’s application dated 17-5-2007 for renewal of the mining lease as arbitrary and illegal. It is not in dispute that the lease in favour of the petitioner is valid upto 22-8-2007. In the circumstances, though the petitioner made an application for renewal on 17-5-2007, no order has been passed thereon by the respondent so far. Hence, this writ petition. I have heard the learned Counsel for the petitioner as well as the learned Government Pleader appearing for the respondents. It is to be noted that as per Rule 12 (5) (h) (xi) of the A.P. Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1966 the application for renewal of quarry lease shall be disposed of before the expiry of lease and if it is not so disposed of, it is deemed to have been extended till the application is disposed of. Having regard to the Rule position, I deem it appropriate to dispose of the Writ Petition with a direction to the respondents to consider the petitioner’s application dated 17-5-2007 and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible preferably within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. Till such orders are passed, the petitioner shall be permitted to carry on mining operations in terms of the lease granted in his favour. No costs. ______________ G. ROHINI, J. Dt. 30-7-2007 gbs