Guwahati: Assam mines and minerals minister Sum Ronghang on Friday said Oil India Ltd and ONGC are yet to give Rs 5,636 crore royalty to the state government.
Talking to reporters, miles, the minerals and hills area development minister here said of the total dues of Rs 6,306 crore (Rs 4,902 crore from OIL and Rs 1,404 crore from ONGC), the government has received only Rs 670 crore.
Ronghang said he had a review meeting with the officials of mines and minerals on Thursday and another with the hills area development officials on Friday and realised that these were the two small and "neglected" departments in the state.
"The hills area development department runs only with seven employees without an office of its own. It is run from a rented office at Housefed complex. As a hills area development minister, my jurisdiction is limited to three hills districts," said Ronghang.
"Similarly, the mines and minerals department is running with only one office at Guwahati. Of the 400 posts, 50 per cent are lying vacant. Lack of infrastructure and shortage of staff have hampered its functioning," Ronghang said.
The minister said they will set up five offices at Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Goalpara, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao to enhance efficiency of the department.
He said the department had contributed Rs 1,914 crore and Rs 1,700 crore as revenue to the state exchequer in 2016-17 and 2017-18 fiscals respectively.
Crude oil, natural gas and coal are three main sources of revenue of the department.
Ronghang vowed to inquire into the allegations of corruption against the department.