(a) whether the Union Government proposes to revise royalty rates of coal;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c)whether the coal bearing States have suffered any loss on account of non-revision of rates of coal royalty during the last three years;
(d)if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(e)whether the Government proposes to compensate the States for the said loss; and
(f)if so, the details thereof, State-wise and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL AND MINISTER OF
STATE (IC) IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS & PROGRAMME
IMPLEMENTATION (SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)
(a)&(b): Yes, Sir. The Government have constituted a new
Study Group under the Chairmanship of Additional Secretary
(Coal) on 04.02.2010 for considering the issue of next revision
of royalty rates of coal and lignite. The royalty rates on
coal and lignite were last revised w.e.f. 01.08.2007.
(c)&(d): Section 9(3) of the Mines and Minerals (Development &
Regulation) Act, 1957 empowers the Central Government to
enhance or reduce the royalty rates in respect of any mineral
by notification in the Official Gazette with effect from such
date as may be specified in the notification. The proviso to
Section 9(3) of the said Act prevents the Central Government
from enhancing the rate of royalty in respect of any mineral
more than once during any period of three years. Since the
royalty rates on coal and lignite were last revised w.e.f.
01.08.2007, the rates could not have been enhanced again during
the interim period in view of the restriction imposed under the
proviso to Section 9(3) cited above. Therefore, the question
of loss on account of non-revision of royalty rates on coal
during the last three years does not rise.
(e)&(f): Do not arise in view of the reply given to
parts (c) & (d) above.