JUDGMENT Rajiv Sharma, J. Since common questions of law and facts are involved in these writ petitions, the same are taken up together for hearing and are being disposed of by this common judgment. 2. The respondent-State has published auction notice, dated 13.12.2011, whereby applications were invited for extraction of minor minerals. The auction took place on 18.01.2012. Petitioners also participated in the bid process. Petitioners’ bids were accepted vide letters, dated 14/15.03.2012. 3. Case of the petitioners, in a nut-shell, is that though they have been granted permission to extract the minor minerals, but as per the oral instructions of the State Geologist, they have been prevented from selling/disposing of the minor minerals to the owners of the other stone crushers. Mr. Deepak Kaushal, learned counsel for the petitioners has also argued that even his clients are not permitted to use the minor minerals for consumption for their own stone crushers. 4. The Geologist from the Headquarters at Shimla is present to assist this Court. However, he has failed to point out any legal restriction either under the H.P. Minor Minerals (Concession) Revised Rules, 1971 or in the auction notice, prohibiting the petitioners from selling/disposing of the minor minerals to the owners of the other stone crushers. The parties are bound by the conditions imposed in the auction notice. It was only open to the State Government to restrict/prohibit the petitioners from selling/disposing of the minor minerals to the stone crushers in the auction notice. 5. Accordingly, the writ petitions are allowed. The petitioners are permitted to sell/dispose of their minor minerals extracted by them pursuant to auction, dated 18.01.2012, to other stone crushers. The petitioners are also permitted to use the minor minerals for the consumption of their stone crushers. However, before the petitioners are permitted to sell/dispose of the minor minerals, as directed hereinabove, they shall deposit the entire arrears with the Mining Officer, Kangra at Dharamshala, within a period of six weeks from today. The pending application(s), if any, also stands disposed of. No costs.