Nellore, Aug. 31: The authorities are in a fix over silica sand bearing lands being acqui-red for the port based multipurpose SEZ in Gudur division, following court orders to maintain the status quo. The revenue authorities have given notices to 68 mining companies involved in silica sand mining over 1,132 hectares in eight villages of Chillakur mandal and two villages of Kota mandal in Gudur division. The mines wing officials said that another 5,000 acres bearing silica sand in the same region was already procured for the SEZ. Water is available within 5 ft in these lands dotted with several natural ponds. Leaseholders of the silica mines approached the court armed with various government orders issued in 1952 against using mines for any other purpose after revenue authorities issued notices to them in April 2008, to allot the land to the proposed SEZ. In fact, the industries and commerce department, in its G.O.Ms.No 74 dated February 16, 2002, directed the mines and geology department not to allot lands having mineral wealth for any purpose other than mining. Interestingly, the same commerce department, in its memo No.6842/M.I(2) /2007 dated April 26, 2007, informed the mines wing to stop grant of fresh leases and take action for cancellation of silica sand mining leases issued already. As per the memo, mineral bearing land is required for the port-based industrial park, power project of AP Genco, Lidcap international leather project and other industrial projects. The move to allot mineral rich lands to the SEZ promoted by Krishnapatnam Port Company prompted Telugu Desam leaders to raise a hue and cry as SEZ promoters can export silica without any hassles. Senior officials of the district maintain that only a dozen mines are in effective use. The district collector, Mr K. Ramgopal, said that some mines are located in the midst of the area identified for the SEZ and they had no alternative except to acquire them since the entire land should be in one piece for any SEZ.