Bhubaneswar, Oct. 29: The Orissa government today constituted an official committee to suggest modalities for revision of royalty of various minerals.

The committee, headed by Orissa finance secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra, will also have steel and mines secretary Manoj Ahuja and revenue secretary R.K. Sharma as members. Chief secretary Bijay Patnaik said: “The Centre has sent a questionnaire and sought the state government’s opinion in making a revision of the mineral royalty. To finalise Orissa’s demand, the government will seek expert opinion. However, the state will continue to demand royalty as per the market value of minerals.”

The last time the revision of mineral royalty had been effected was in 2009. The next revision is supposed to take place in 2012.

In another development, Rourkela police today conducted raids on the Koida mines to curb illegal transport of minerals. Rourkela SP Himanshu Lal said: “Raids are on at Koida mines and on the premises of Adhunik Metallics according to the instruction and norms of the state government.”

Sources said that in order to augment its revenue base, the government was demanding 10 per cent of the market price for every tonne of minerals.