|Orissa High Court
Odisha Minor Mineral Rules, 2016 | Royalty Liability Applies to Earth Extraction for Industrial Ash Pond Construction, Even On-Site Reuse : Orissa HC
The Orissa High Court has ruled that extracting earth for commercial ash pond construction at a thermal power plant triggers royalty payments under the Odisha Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016, regardless of whether the material is reused on-site. The domestic use exemption does not extend to industrial operations, setting a critical precedent for power utilities and mining contractors across Odisha.