In Brief
A successful sand mining bidder challenged a demand notice requiring him to deposit 10% of his total bid amount (₹54,12,960) with the District Mineral Foundation Trust, claiming it exceeded the royalty-based payment prescribed in the Mines and Minerals Act. The Supreme Court upheld the demand notice, holding that Section 9B of the 1957 Act does not apply to minor minerals under Section 14. The Court ruled that the State Government has independent power under Section 15A to prescribe the amount payable to the DMF, and the prescribed 10% of the total amount was lawful under the District Mineral Foundation Trust Rules, 2017. The Court also held that Rules 21 and 54 of the older Rules do not apply in e-tender cases.", <parameter name="subject_tags">["Mines and Minerals", "Minor Minerals", "District Mineral Foundation", "Administrative Law", "Statutory Interpretation", "State Powers", "Mineral Concessions", "Tender Process"]
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