Naveen seeks revision of non-coal royalty

The Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik today demanded the revision of royalty on non-coal minerals as it was last revised in 2004 and the next revision becoming due in October 2007.

This issue was raised by Patnaik during his meeting with the Prime Minister Naveen Patnaik in New Delhi today. He also drew the attention of the Prime Minister to the recommendations of the 11th and 12th Finance Commission that the state should be entitled to compensation in case the revision is not effected when it is due. Patnaik strongly urged for the revision of royalty on the non- coal minerals immediately and it should be at least 20 percent of the price of those minerals advalorem.

While the mining royalty is not revised for years together, the Centre has been levying export duty on different ores which is not being passed on to the state. Such levies should be passed on to the states of origin of the exported ore, the chief minister urged. The issue pertaining to the matter concerning the refund of assistance for floods of 2008 as demanded by the Government of India (GOI) also figured in the discussion between the two leaders. Urging the Prime Minister not to insist on the refund, Patnaik requested him to provide Rs 2687 crore to the state from the NCCF for meeting the loss caused by the flood.