Centre Doesn’t Owe Any Mining Royalty Dues: Minister

18 Dec 2024 CW Team

The Union govt has denied that it owes Jharkhand around Rs 1.36 trillion in mining (coal) royalty, an issue the mineral-rich state has been raising since long. The statement of the Union finance ministry in the Lok Sabha on Monday could further strain relations between the Centre and the state, where the Hemant Soren-led INDIA bloc govt has been claiming that Jharkhand has been denied its bonafide due in lieu of mining coal by several public sector units. While responding to a query raised by Purnia (Bihar) MP Rajesh Ranjan (Pappu Yadav) in Lok Sabha, Union minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary in a written statement clarified that there is no discrimination in the allocation of funds to states by the Centre. Ranjan sought to know whether the Jharkhand govt's share in tax earned as revenue from coal to the tune of Rs 1.40 trillion has been pending with the Centre for years and the reasons behind it. He also asked whether the Centre is discriminating in the allocation of funds to the states and when will the blocked funds be released to provide impetus to the state in furthering its development works. Replying to it, the minister categorically denied that any share of Jharkhand is pending with the Centre. Chaudhary's statement read, "The Union govt provides funds to states under various heads such as tax devolution, grant-in-aid for centrally sponsored schemes, finance commission transfers, scheme for special assistance to states for capital expenditure/investment. In addition, funds are released in various central sector schemes to be utilised in the state of Jharkhand. Funds are released based on the recommendations of the finance commission, scheme guidelines, fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and submission of utilisation certificates of funds released earlier." As per the response, Jharkhand received Rs 77.9 billion from the Centre over the last three financial years under various heads. The Centre's statement, however, is in contradiction to Hemant govt's claims. In April 2022, former chief secretary Sukhdev Singh letter stated that dues were pending under various categories namely — Rs 29 billion for dues of royalty payable on washed coal; Rs 32 billion related to common cause judgement and Rs 1,01,142 in lieu of govt land acquisition.

The Union govt has denied that it owes Jharkhand around Rs 1.36 trillion in mining (coal) royalty, an issue the mineral-rich state has been raising since long. The statement of the Union finance ministry in the Lok Sabha on Monday could further strain relations between the Centre and the state, where the Hemant Soren-led INDIA bloc govt has been claiming that Jharkhand has been denied its bonafide due in lieu of mining coal by several public sector units. While responding to a query raised by Purnia (Bihar) MP Rajesh Ranjan (Pappu Yadav) in Lok Sabha, Union minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary in a written statement clarified that there is no discrimination in the allocation of funds to states by the Centre. Ranjan sought to know whether the Jharkhand govt's share in tax earned as revenue from coal to the tune of Rs 1.40 trillion has been pending with the Centre for years and the reasons behind it. He also asked whether the Centre is discriminating in the allocation of funds to the states and when will the blocked funds be released to provide impetus to the state in furthering its development works. Replying to it, the minister categorically denied that any share of Jharkhand is pending with the Centre. Chaudhary's statement read, The Union govt provides funds to states under various heads such as tax devolution, grant-in-aid for centrally sponsored schemes, finance commission transfers, scheme for special assistance to states for capital expenditure/investment. In addition, funds are released in various central sector schemes to be utilised in the state of Jharkhand. Funds are released based on the recommendations of the finance commission, scheme guidelines, fulfilment of the stipulated conditions and submission of utilisation certificates of funds released earlier. As per the response, Jharkhand received Rs 77.9 billion from the Centre over the last three financial years under various heads. The Centre's statement, however, is in contradiction to Hemant govt's claims. In April 2022, former chief secretary Sukhdev Singh letter stated that dues were pending under various categories namely — Rs 29 billion for dues of royalty payable on washed coal; Rs 32 billion related to common cause judgement and Rs 1,01,142 in lieu of govt land acquisition.

Infrastructure Energy

17 Dec 2025

Vedanta Aluminium Uses 1.57 bn Units of Green Energy in FY25

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, recently reported consumption of 1.57 billion units of renewable energy in FY25, marking a significant milestone in its 2030 decarbonisation roadmap. The company also achieved an 8.96 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity compared to FY21, reinforcing its leadership in India’s low-carbon manufacturing transition. During FY25, Vedanta Aluminium expanded its renewable energy portfolio through long-term power purchase agreements, strengthening its strategy to source nearly 1,500 MW of renewable power over the lon..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

Oberoi Group to Develop Luxury Resort at Makaibari Tea Estate

EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group, has announced the signing of a management agreement to develop an Oberoi luxury resort at the iconic Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling. The project marks a key milestone in the Group’s long-term strategy of creating distinctive hospitality experiences in rare and environmentally significant locations. Established in 1859, Makaibari is one of the world’s oldest tea estates and is globally recognised for its Himalayan landscape, primary forests and exceptional biodiversity. Spread across 1,236 acres, the estate houses one of the world�..

Real Estate

17 Dec 2025

GHV Infra Secures Rs 1.09 Bn EPC Order in Jamshedpur

GHV Infra Projects Ltd, a fast-growing EPC company in India’s infrastructure and construction sector, has recently secured a Rs 1.09 billion work order in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Awarded by a reputed group entity, the contract covers end-to-end civil construction, mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems, along with high-quality finishing works for a large building development. The project will be executed over a 30-month period, with defined benchmarks for quality, safety and timely delivery. The order strengthens GHV Infra’s footprint in Jamshedpur, a key industrial hub known fo..