The Hindu : Front Page : Kumaraswamy for new norms for royalty on ore

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Aug 10, 2006

Front Page

Front Page

Kumaraswamy for new norms for royalty on ore

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Wednesday urged the Union Government to change the norms for payment of royalty to State governments on iron ore and other minerals so that it was based on the value of the commodities rather than on weight.

At a meeting with Union Minister for Mines Sisram Ola, the Chief Minister requested that the norms be changed in the next revision of royalty rates due in January 2007.

This, the Chief Minister said, was essential so that States such as Karnataka, which produced a large quantity of iron ore, got their proper dues.

He expressed reservations about the package for Bharat Gold Mines Ltd. at Kolar, decided by the Union Cabinet recently, and urged that it be revised so that the interests of workers and local people were fully protected.

Mr. Kumaraswamy called on Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss and urged that measures be taken for the early opening of medical colleges in Hassan and Shimoga. He also called on Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T.R. Baalu and urged for provision of rigid pavement for National Highway 48 at Shiradi Ghat and four-laning of the highway from Hassan to B.C. Road, among others.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page