Union Coal and Mines Minister Prahlad Joshi on Friday said that revision of coal royalty is linked to the power tariff, thereby indicating that the Centre may not consider the Odisha Government’s longstanding demand for it.
After a meeting with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here, Joshi told reporters that the former gave a representation to him on coal royalty revision and he told the Chief Minister that it is linked to power tariff. “It’s a larger policy matter since whatever decision is taken it will be applicable to the entire country,” he said.
However, apparently in a routine manner, the Central Minister said that he would look into the demand.
During the meeting with Joshi, Patnaik reiterated the State’s demand that the rates of coal royalty be hiked and that the State get a share from the cess collected on coal by the Central Government.
On the issue of availability of raw materials to the industries in the country, Joshi said that with the leases of over 300 mines lapsing by March 31, 2020, the Centre has decided to ensure supply of raw materials through public sector undertakings (PSUs) and by making some other arrangements. The Government would see to it that there is no shortage of minerals for the industries.
Joshi said he and Panaik discussed how the production at the Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL), the land issues and law and order problems at the MCL mines.
According to sources, the State Government urged the Union Minister to transfer a coalmine allocated to the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) to the Odisha Thermal Power Corporation Limited (OTPCL).