Chhattisgarh's income from minerals royalty rises 20 percent

Raipur, June 1 (IANS) The Chhattisgarh government Monday said its royalty earnings from minerals rose 20 percent in 2008-09 to Rs.1,237 crore.

'The state had made earnings of Rs.1,237.29 crore from minerals in 2008-09, comparing to Rs.1,028.38 crore in 2007-08, registering an overall 20 percent increase,' an official statement said.

The mineral-rich state, which has massive coal deposits in its northern region and iron ore deposits in southern Bastar region had earned Rs.832.35 crore in 2006-07 and Rs.737.85 crore in 2005-06 as mineral royalty.

The state government is now seeking 'value-based' royalty on coal and iron ore.

'The state is getting just Rs.18 per tonne as royalty on iron-ore. While after value addition, the steel manufacturers are selling the product for about Rs.30,000 a tonne,' Chief Minister Raman Singh had said last month.