Rajya Sabha BJD member Narendra Swain asked Union Minister of Tourism Prahlad Singh Patel if Central aid of Rs 3 crore was being considered to be spent for holding cultural functions like Konark Festival, Mukteswar Dance Festival, Rajarani Music Festival, Dhauli Kalinga Festival, Bird Festival, Khandagiri Udayagiri Festival etc in Odisha.
The Odisha Government had requested for consideration of the same in the year 2018. Swain also wanted to know whether the Union Culture Ministry was considering of Rural Circuit and Spiritual Circuit under Swadesh Darshan Scheme as requested by the Odisha Government earlier in 2015 and 2016.
Replying to Swain’s queries, Minister Patel said that as per the Central Government’s procedure, Rs 50 lakh is allowed to the States and Rs 30 lakh to the Union Territories in a financial year for organizing their regional festivals. Therefore, the Central financial assistance as sought by the Government of Odisha is not admissible.
Patel also said that the his Ministry has sanctioned a project under the Coastal Circuit to Odisha under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme covering Gopalpur, Brakul, Satapada and Tampara with Central financial assistance of Rs 76.49 crore.
Swain further raised questions to know from the Ministry of Mines whether it is a fact that the proposal of the Odisha Government for reservation of Thakurani Block A iron ore mines in favour of the Industrial Development Corporation of Odisha Limited (IDCOL) has been pending with the Ministry since last year. Swain was categorical to know if the Ministry will consider to accord necessary approval for reservation of the Thakurani Block A mines in favour of IDCOL under section 17(2) of the MMDR (Amendment) Act, 2015.
Answering the question, Minister of Mines Pralhad Joshi said that the Ministry has received a proposal from the Odisha Government for reservation of Thakurani Block A Mines in favour of IDCOL and the same was under consideration. The proposal will be processed in accordance with the provisions of MMDR Act, 1957 and the rules framed there under, he added.
Swain further raised questions whether the Ministry of Mines is going to revise the rate for major minerals, including iron ore, as the same was due for revision in September 2017. Odisha being a mining rich State, it depends heavily on royalty on iron ore, Swain said and pointed out at the steady fall of mining revenue due to periodic non – revision of royalty on major minerals, including iron ore. Minister Joshi said that the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 stipulates that the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette amend the rates of royalty for major minerals provided that the rate of royalty shall not be enhanced more than once during any period of three years. The Ministry of Mines, has constituted a study group to revise the rates of royalty and dead rent for minerals (other than coal, lignite, sand for stowing and minor minerals), the Minister said.