Royalty collection target to be met from arrears

"There is a problem in achieving the target as most of the mines are inoperative. We are hopeful of meeting the target as arrears are being collected from lease-holders," Koraput Mining Officer S P Nanda said.

"We expect to realise arrears of Rs 40 crore," he said.

The state government had set a target of Rs 100 crore royalty collection in the three districts in the current fiscal. By December 2012, Rs 50 crore had been collected and the only hope for the mines department was to cover the deficit through arrear collection pending for years, he said.

Out of eight mines leased out in Koraput, only one bauxite mine was being used by Nalco, while others were idle as the leaseholders were yet to carry out mining.

Similarly out of the 22 mines in Rayagada district, only a graphite and a manganese mine was operative.

While some leaseholders had not obtained environment clearance for mining, many others inspite of having all clearance were unable to start it due to opposition from anti-mining activists. Several large industries are among those unable to carry out mining.