On Monday, BJD Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra made a compelling argument for the revision of coal royalty for Odisha, noting that the revision has been pending for 12 years, resulting in an annual loss of Rs 10,000 crore for the state. During the Zero Hour session in Rajya Sabha, Patra emphasized Odisha’s significant contribution to coal production, ranking among the top two coal-producing states in India.
“Despite Odisha’s substantial role in power generation, energy security, and coal production, its rightful demand for a revision of coal royalty has been ignored for the past 12 years. This oversight is costing Odisha around Rs 10,000 crore each year,” Patra stated.
He highlighted that the coal royalty rates for Odisha were last updated in May 2012. Over the last 12 years, the lack of revision has deprived the state of much-needed revenue.
“This is not a political issue but a governance issue. It is crucial to address it because it affects the people of Odisha who are suffering due to this delay,” the BJD MP added. He also pointed out that if Odisha receives the additional Rs 10,000 crore annually, it could significantly contribute to the state’s development.
During the same session, Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil expressed concern over the devastation caused by heavy rains in Gujarat. Gohil noted that several lives have been lost, and crops severely damaged due to the rains. He criticized the state’s handling of storm water drains, alleging corruption and lack of pre-monsoon cleaning.
Gohil also raised issues related to unauthorized constructions affecting the natural flow of water and pointed out the non-implementation of the ‘rescue, relief, and rehabilitation’ provisions under the Disaster Management Act in Gujarat.
