Royalty on coal for states revised from this month

New Delhi, Aug 23 (UNI) The Government has revised the royalty of states on coal extracted in their region from this month in response to the demands made by them, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Answering a question of Mr Datta Meghe, Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayana Rao said the notification of revising royalty was made in response to the demands of coal producing states. The Centre has the power to enhance or reduce the royalty rates for coal and lignite under the Mines and Minerals (Regulation and Development) Act 1957 which also prevents the Centre from enhancing the royalty on coal and lignite more than once during three years.

To another question, Mr Rao said there was a shortage of 6.020 Mt for various subsidiary units of Coal India Ltd during the first quarter of the current financial year. The Government had therefore decided to mobilise all resources to ensure that the shortfall was made good during the second and third quarter of the current year.

UNI