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Raje seeks new royalty rates

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Thursday called upon the Centre to notify the revised rates of royalty on major minerals in accordance with the recommendations of a study group appointed recently.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Ms. Raje said the income from royalty was a significant source of non-tax revenue earnings for States. Though the Centre had assured the Chief Ministers of five States on December 19, 2007, that the royalty rates would be notified shortly, no action was taken.

Ms. Raje pointed out that the Union Mines Ministry had notified the original rates of royalty on October 14, 2004, and the revised rates should have been notified within three years.

The Chief Minister said she had received reports that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had put off the issue after getting recommendations of the study group appointed by the Mines Ministry. “It is surprising that a significant issue concerning the States’ revenue is being postponed and delayed in this manner,” she added.

The Chief Minister said the delay in revision of royalty rates was not only adversely affecting the growth of infrastructure in the mining sector but also slowing down overall development of States.

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