The Industries Department, Kerala on March 31, 2023, issued the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession (Amendment) Rules, 2023 to further amend the Kerala Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2015. The following has been stated namely: Rule 7 which states “Payment of Royalty” has been substituted namely: “Every applicant for a quarrying permit shall pay royalty in advance to Government at the rate specified in schedule1.The applicant shall pay royalty in advance for the entire quantity of mineral proposed to be mined each year as per the approved mining plan. The permit holder shall not be eligible for refund of advance royalty remitted even if the quantity of mineral mined or transported is less than the annual quantity of mineral proposed to be mined as per the approved mining plan”. Rule 9(2) which states “Disposal of application for the grant of quarrying permit” a proviso has been inserted. “Provided that in case the applied area for quarrying permit is not under the possession and enjoyment of the applicant, the applicant shall produce a copy of the registered lease agreement as provided in clause (d) of sub-rule (2) of rule 4.”. Rule 75 has been substituted to state “Preparation of Plans and Sections of quarry”. Forms have been attached to the notification. This shall come into force on April 01, 2023.