Against a target of Rs 3,000 crore, the mining royalty collected in Joda circle for 2013-14 stands at Rs2,485 crore, stated sources.
Deputy Director of Mines (DDM) SN Sahoo attributed the fall in revenue to reduced tariff rate of the Government. While last year, Rs700 was collected per ton of iron ore, now it is Rs500. Similarly fall in demand in export of the iron ore is also another reason for not reaching the target. And most important is the non operation of many mines. Out of 100 mines, only 27 mines are in operation. Rest are not operating for non -compliance of certain documents.
Notably, Rs2,700 crore had been collected against a target of Rs1,600 crore as royalty during the financial year 2012-2013 by the Government from Joda sector.