Question : ROYALTY ON MINERALS

(a) The amount paid to mineral producing States as royalty during each of the last three years ;

(b) the latest rate of royalty per tonne on different minerals mineral-wise as on date;

(c) whether the Government proposes to confer the right of revising the rate of royalty on minerals to the concerned States;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the Government proposes to link royalty paid on iron ore to market prices rather than a fixed rate as at present; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINISTER OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION(SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE)

(a) Royalty is paid to the State Governments by the miners. The data is not centrally maintained. However, as per available information, royalty collections for major minerals (excluding coal & lignite) in the years 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08, is given below:-

(In lakh rupees)

2005-06	2006-07	2007-08

141175.38	208919.60	210279.86