New Delhi, July 14 -- The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional validity of the explanations appended to Rule 38 of the Minerals (Other than Atomic and Hydro Carbons Energy Minerals) Concession Rules, 2016 and Rule 45(8)(a) of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules, 2017, holding that the inclusion of royalty, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) and National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) contributions in the sale value for computing the Average Sale Price (ASP) is a valid regulatory measure intended to prevent revenue leakage and curb manipulation of mineral prices.

A Bench of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan dismissed a writ petition filed by Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Ltd. and another, holding that the i...