Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday raised yet again the issue of revision of mineral royalty and dead rent urging Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to notify the revision of rates of royalty and dead rent on major minerals as per the recommendation of a study group constituted by the Centre.
“The State Government, due to delay in notification of revision of rate of royalty, is losing approximately Rs 5 crore per day (assuming the present level of production and approval of the revised rates of royalty suggested by the Study Group). I would, therefore, urge upon the Central Government to notify the revision on rates of royalty and dead rent on major minerals without any further delay,” said Patnaik in a letter to Singh. A study group constituted by the Central Government on revision of rates of royalty and dead rent has already submitted its report since June, 2013. But the matter is still pending with Centre for issue of notification.
The rates of royalty and dead rent were last revised by the Centre with effect from August 13, 2009. “Royalty rates on minerals are to be revised regularly and the decision about the revision of the rates of royalty be taken well before the date on which the revision is due so that it can be notified immediately after the completion of every three years period as provided under the law,” Patnaik said in his letter to the Prime Minister.