Friday, April 23, 2010

Reduce Royalty On Stone Quarrying, Sand Mining’ – Mla Sandeep Naik Raises Issue In State Assembly

The state government’s decision to increase royalty on sand mining to generate revenue received flak from legislators across party lines in the state assembly session. It was also the first calling attention motion for MLA Sandeep Naik who strongly protested the increase in royalty of sand mining.

Legislators in the state Assembly demanded that the Revenue department should rethink its decision to double the royalty on sand mining and quarrying because it had a cascading effect on common people, workers and the construction and mining industry. It was also the first calling in motion for NCP MLA Sandeep Naik who strongly protested the increase in royalty on sand mining. MLA Sandeep Naik informed about this increase. MLA Sandeep Naik informed that Revenue Minister Narayan Rane had given them the assurance that they will think on the increase. He said that their demand would benefit the sand mining owners and workers.

The state had increased royalty on mining from Rs 100 to Rs 200 per brass in February. Several mining associations in Thane, Vasai and Bhiwandi shut down all activity in protest. The construction industry has also complained that higher royalty will lead to increase in costs. Since Navi Mumbai has many sand mining and quarry activities, MLA Sandep Naik’s calling attention motion has been welcomed by the workers of the construction and mining industry In Navi Mumbai who would be the most affected by this decision.

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