M. Sathyanarayanan, J. - (1.) By consent, the Writ Petition itself is taken up for final disposal.
(2.) The writ petition is filed as a Public Interest Litigation to halt the sand quarrying operation in Survey No.8 at Kookudi Village, Thiruvadanai Taluk, Ramanathapuram District.
(3.) The writ petition was entertained on 24.11.2017. This Court, vide order dated 22.01.2018, has indicated that in the light of the order passed by the learned Single Judge ordering closing all the sand quarry operated by the PWD, which has been confirmed by the Hon'ble Division Bench, directed the learned Special Government Pleader to get instructions. Accordingly, the learned counsel for the fifth respondent has filed the status report dated 05.02.2018 and it is relevant to extract Paragraph No.4: "4. It is submitted that, the Assistant Executive Engineer, PWD, WRD, Mining and Monitoring Sub Division, Ramanathapuram reported that, the quarrying operation which commenced on 06.11.2017 was stopped with effect from 07.12.2017 due to the fact that the quality of the sand was not up to the mark. Out of the permitted period of 7 months, the quarry operation carried out only for 31 days. There is no quarrying operation in the impugned site after 07.12.2017. Further, he has also stated that, during the period of quarrying operation the rules and conditions given in the Proceedings of the District Collector, Ramanathapuram vide Roc.No.G &M2/1582016, dated 26.09.2017 have been strictly followed. It is therefore, humbly prayed that this Hon. Court may be pleased to dismiss this petition as devoid of merits and pass such other orders as this Hon'ble Court deems it fit, proper and appropriate in the circumstances and thus render justice.";