CM urges Union Coal Minister to increase mineral royalty
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has requested Union Minister for Coal and Mines to increase the royalty rates of major minerals.
In a letter addressed to Minister for Coal and Mines Prahlad Joshi, Chief Minister pointed toward the M.M.D.R Act 1957 and requested him to revise the royalty rates of major minerals after a period of every three years.
He has further affirmed that the state of Chhattisgarh is losing its mineral revenue due to non-increase in royalty rates in every three years, which thereby leads in creating difficulty for proper implementation of state-run welfare schemes due to shortage of funds.
“Royalty is an important source of revenue for the state of Chhattisgarh. Many welfare schemes are being run by the state government for public interest and for this, proper financial management is necessary for its smooth functioning. The revenue receipts are being adversely affected due to non-revision of the royalty rates of major minerals by the Government of India,” CM Baghel said in the letter.
The Chief Minister has informed that the royalty rates of major minerals were revised on September 1, 2014 by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. As per the provisions of section of the Act, royalty rates were to be revised from September 1, 2017, after a period of three years from the previous amendment, but till date the royalty rates have not been revised.
He has requested the Union Minister to issue a notification regarding increase in royalty rates of major minerals in this regard, so that Chhattisgarh can get mineral revenue at an increased rate.
