Hyderabad: The Hyderabad High Court directed the Andhra Pradesh government to consider the application for granting mining lease for excavation of iron ore and red oxide in 14.100 hectares in D. Hirelal mandal of Ananthapur district in favour of the petitioner afresh.
Justice Challa Kodandaram allowed the petition by T. Ekambaram challenging the memo issued by the secretary, department of industries and commerce of AP in 2007, rejecting his application for the lease. The petitioner told the court that his application was rejected on the ground that the land had been reserved for exploitation by the AP Mineral Development Corporation and his application was rejected without giving any opportunity to him.
The counsel appearing for Andhra Pradesh submitted that the impugned memo may be set aside and the matter may be remanded to the secretary for fresh consideration.
While setting aside the memo, the judge ordered that the secretary shall consider and dispose of the application afresh, strictly in accordance with the rules, within eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
