SHAMIM AHMED,J. - (1.) The present writ petition has been filed by the petitioner with the following prayer:- (I) Issue any writ, direction or order in the nature of certiorari quashing the impugned orders dated 21.06.2019 passed by respondent no.2/District Magistrate, Prayagraj (Annexure No.18). (II) Issue any writ, direction or order in the nature of writ of mandamus commanding the respondents to refund the lease money and stamp duty of petitioner. (III) Issue any writ, direction or order in the nature of writ of mandamus commanding 21.06.2019 passed by respondent no.2/District Magistrate, Prayagraj (Annexure No.18). (IV) Command the respondent nos.2 and 3 decide representations of the petitioner dated 26.05.2018, 21.06.2018, 16.10.2018, 18.12.2018, 12.02.2019 and 15.05.2019 (Annexure nos.8, 9, 10, 11 and 13). (V) Issue any writ, direction or order in the nature of writ of mandamus commanding the respondents to grant three months time. (VI) Issue any writ, direction or order in the nature of writ of mandamus commanding the respondents. (VII) Pass any other writ, direction or order, as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper under the circumstances of this case. (VIII) Award cost to the petitioners from the respondents.
(2.) Heard Sri Ashok Nath Tripathi, learned counsel for the petitioner and Smt. Archana Singh, learned Additional Chief Standing Counsel representing all the respondents.
(3.) Facts in brief as contained in the writ petition are that as per New Government Policy-2017, a Government order for settlement of lease under Chapter-IV by e-tender/e-auction dated 14.8.2017 was issued and the Uttar Pradesh Miner Minerals (Concession) (43 amendment) Rules, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as "the Amended Rules, 2017") framed thereunder. Mining leases were to be granted as per the procedure prescribed under the statutory Rules and the Government Order dated 14.8.2017. In pursuance of the same, an advertisement notice dated 01.12.2017 was issued by the District Magistrate, Prayagraj-respondent no.2 for settlement of mining leases of sand and morrum under the Amended Rules, 2017 in the District Prayagraj for several mining blocks by e-tendering.;