Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Launches Statewide Movement Against Mineral Cess Bill

Ranchi, August 20: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has announced a state-level movement against the Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which restricts states’ rights to impose a mineral cess. This decision was made during a meeting of the party’s central committee, chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, at Sohrai Bhavan in Harmu, Ranchi.

Following the meeting, Chief Minister Soren took to social media to share that the extended central committee discussed various topics, including amendments to the MMDR mining law, delimitation, and SIR. The Chief Minister expressed concerns that the implementation of this bill, passed in Parliament, would severely impact the economic and financial interests of a mineral-rich state like Jharkhand.

The JMM has identified this as a critical issue concerning state rights and control over mineral resources, deciding to intensify both political and grassroots efforts against it. Chief Minister Soren has previously raised objections to the bill’s provisions and urged the central government to reconsider.

The central committee has resolved to take this issue to villages and panchayats through the party organization. Workers have been instructed to inform the public about the potential impacts of the central government’s bill and to garner widespread support.

Soren emphasized that mineral resources are a vital foundation for Jharkhand’s economy. Any changes to rights related to mineral-rich land and mining revenues could adversely affect the state’s financial condition. He expressed concerns that a decline in revenue could impact the government’s welfare and development programs.

The meeting also focused on preparing the organization for the movement. The party’s strategy is to initiate campaigns at the booth level, extending to block, district, and state levels. Workers will engage with communities to discuss the bill’s provisions and its potential effects. The movement is set to escalate into a public demonstration.

JMM leaders stated that this issue transcends political party lines; it pertains to Jharkhand’s resources and state rights. The party aims to unite other political parties, social organizations, and the general public in this endeavor.

The meeting saw the participation of senior JMM leaders, MPs, and MLAs, including Vijay Hansda, Nalin Soren, senior MLA Prof. Stephen Marandi, and MLA Hemlal Murmu, along with several central party officials and representatives.