Extract minerals, pay royalty: CM

SHILLONG: The state Cabinet has approved the amendment to the Meghalaya Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016 to ensure that ‘incidental’ extraction of minerals is subjected to realisation of royalty.
Addressing the media here on Tuesday, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that the existing rules mention extraction of minor minerals which is incidental in nature.
“But this phrase ‘incidental in nature’ is not defined properly and therefore the exemption to such extent is exploited,” he said.
Sangma also said that by exploiting the small word ‘incidental’ massive road projects are going on.
He said the proposed amendment is that incidental in the context of extraction of minor mineral means unintended extraction which arises out of non-mining activity such as construction of roads or major infrastructural projects.
“So, at the time of construction, whatever aggregate or minerals made available and are incidental to activity will also be subjected to realisation of royalty,” he added.