Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Laterite Stone Prices Remain High Despite Royalty Reduction
Imagine you want to build a house, and the special stones needed cost a lot of money.
The government made it cheaper for the people who dig up these stones to pay taxes.
But, even though the taxes are lower, the stores selling the stones are still charging a lot.
A leader named Dr. Manjunath Bhandary asked the local boss to get everyone together to figure out a fair price.
This is so that people who want to build their homes don't have to pay too much extra money because of the high stone prices.
Laterite building stone prices remain high in the coast despite a significant royalty reduction by the State Government.
The royalty on laterite mining was reduced to ₹920 per 10 tonnes.
Quarry units continue to charge high retail prices, between ₹50–₹55 per block.
Builders report that the high stone prices add approximately ₹3 lakh to the cost of constructing a 1,200 sq ft house.
MLC Dr. Manjunath Bhandary has petitioned the Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner to address the pricing issue and establish a framework for lower costs.
- Who
- MLC Dr. Manjunath Bhandary
- What
- Petitioned for lower laterite stone prices despite royalty reduction
- When
- Recently (implied by formal petition)
- Where
- Dakshina Kannada district
- Why
- Retail prices of laterite stones remain high, increasing construction costs for middle-income households and the construction sector.
- Royalty Reduction
- Reduced to ₹920 per 10 tonnes
- Current Retail Price
- ₹50–₹55 per block (₹18,000–₹20,000 per 10 tonnes)
- Impact on House Construction
- Increases cost of a 1,200 sq ft house by nearly ₹3 lakh
- Petitioner
- MLC Dr. Manjunath Bhandary
- Recipient of Petition
- Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner H.V. Darshan