Do mining operators need to pay GST or Service Tax on royalty? Supreme Court to decide

The Supreme Court of India will decide if mining operators need to pay GST or Service Tax on royalties paid to the government. This follows a recent ruling that royalty is not a tax but a contractual consideration. A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has scheduled the hearing for August and appointed nodal counsel to compile relevant submissions. The case challenges a Rajasthan High Court decision that subjected royalty payments to service tax. The Supreme Court will also review the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act.