Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Miners Protest High Royalty Charges After Privatization of Collection
Imagine you own a small shop, and the government used to let you pay a small fee to sell your goods.
Recently, they decided to let a private company collect that fee instead.
This new company is charging a lot more money, making it very hard for the shop owners to sell their things and make a living.
The shop owners are upset and are protesting to ask the government to lower the fees.
They hope the government will listen and help them keep their businesses open.
The government has promised to look into the matter and find a solution.
Miners in Nandyal district are protesting against what they deem to be high and unfair royalty charges after royalty collection was privatized.
They staged a protest on the national highway, which was called off after a ministerial assurance of intervention.
Miners allege that the new private agency, Sudhakar Infra, is imposing unaffordable rates, particularly on black stone, a minor mineral.
The district has over 200 mines, and approximately 10,000 people depend on black stone mining for their livelihood.
Minister BC Janardhan Reddy assured the miners that their concerns would be referred to the chief minister for resolution and an interim agreement was reached on collection frequency.
- Who
- Miners in Nandyal district, India, and the private royalty collection agency Sudhakar Infra.
- What
- Miners are protesting against high and unfair royalty charges imposed after the privatization of royalty collection.
- When
- Recently, following the handover of royalty collection to a private company, with similar protests occurring last year.
- Where
- Nandyal district, protesting on the national highway.
- Why
- Miners claim the new royalty rates are unaffordable and unfairly applied, especially to minor minerals like black stone, impacting their livelihoods.
Miners' Grievances
Government/Agency Action
Royalty Rates
Miners' Grievances
Miners argue that the royalty rates are excessively high and unaffordable, particularly for minor minerals like black stone. They state the rate was raised significantly and that a uniform rate for all minerals is unfair.
Government/Agency Action
The government privatized royalty collection, leading to the current charges imposed by the private company. The Minister assured concerns would be addressed.
Impact of Privatization
Miners' Grievances
Miners allege that the new private agency is imposing high rates, causing financial strain and forcing them to halt operations. They point to competition from cheaper blackstone from Gujarat exacerbating their problems.
Government/Agency Action
The government invited fresh tenders and handed over royalty collection to a private company, Sudhakar Infra. An interim understanding was reached for collection to occur once per vehicle per day.
- Location
- Nandyal district, India
- Affected Industry
- Black stone mining and other mineral extraction
- Number of Mines
- Over 200 mines, including 19 limestone, 66 black limestone, and 6 metal quarry leases
- Employment Dependence
- Approximately 10,000 people depend on black stone mining for livelihood
- Previous Royalty Rate
- Rs 130 per metric tonne
- Current Royalty Rate (alleged by miners)
- Rs 250 per metric tonne (raised from previous rate)
- Royalty Collection Agency
- Sudhakar Infra (private company)