AP generates Rs 308 crore from minor minerals: Minister

Hyderabad, Feb 22 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh ranks first in the country, generating an income of Rs 308 crore from minor minerals this year, Mines and Geology Minister P Sabita Reddy informed the State Assembly today.

Replying to Mr Ch Venkata Reddy and other CPI members during question hour, she denied the opposition charge that the state had suffered revenue loss due to inadequate staff and lack of proper monitoring and control over material being exported from the state.

The state had registered an increase of 40 per cent in revenue from major minerals and 50 per cent in revenue from minor minerals, she added.

Replying to supplementary questions from TDP Legislature Party Deputy leader N Janardhan Reddy, she said only the Centre was empowered to decide the royalty rate for major minerals, including iron ore.

UNI SM VA GL KP1716