SC's mining tax timeline: From 1989 royalty ruling to 2024 retroactive dues.

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The Supreme Court delivered a crucial judgment earlier this week on tax on mining companies, ruling that states can collect previous dues on royalty and tax on mineral-bearing land, retrospectively.

According to industry experts, it is likely that every state would go ahead and enforce this ruling to augment tax revenue.

The dispute over taxing mineral rights and royalties stems from the 1957 Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, which centralised mining control under the Union government and mandated royalty payments.

Over the years, more than 80 petitions have been filed challenging the interpretation of royalties under the MMDR Act.