Arunachal receives Rs 16 crore as oil royalty

Itanagar, Dec 30: Arunachal Pradesh has received Rs 16.97 crore as differential royalty from Union petroleum and natural gas ministry against crude oil production, state's mines and minerals minister Newlai Tingkhatra here today said.

The Centre had allocated the amount following the persuasion of the state government to release the fixed royalty at the rate of Rs 528 per metric tonne of crude oil produced.

A contract was signed in 1995 between the ministry and a consortium of four companies represented by Geo Enpro Petroleum Ltd operating in Kharsang oil field in this regard.

As per the contract the excess cost of royalty would be borne by the ministry as differential royalty, Mr Thingkhatra said.

He had also apprised Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora regarding this at New Delhi recently.

He also appreciated Chief Minister Gegong Apang for his efforts to accelerate the entire process.

UNI