Ranchi, August 20: Political opposition is intensifying in Jharkhand regarding the recently passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Following Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), the NDA ally AJSU Party has also raised concerns about the state’s mineral interests with the central government. AJSU Party’s central president and former deputy chief minister Sudesh Mahto has sent a letter to Union Minister of Mines and Coal, G. Kishan Reddy, requesting special provisions in the amended law that consider Jharkhand’s interests.
During a press conference in Ranchi on Thursday, Mahto emphasized that Jharkhand’s identity is closely tied to its water, forests, and land. When the state was formed, there was hope that its natural resources would transform the lives of local residents. Therefore, the revenue generated from mineral wealth and its utilization should not be viewed merely as a political issue. He noted that following a court order, states were granted the authority to levy a cess on minerals, but the amendment to the MMDR Act has altered this situation.
Mahto urged the central government to grant Jharkhand special permission to impose a cess on mineral-rich land under Section 9D of the Act, with certain conditions. He stated that the AJSU Party wants the funds generated from the cess to be utilized specifically in mining-affected areas. This funding should address needs such as education, healthcare, drinking water, roads, scholarships, and the rehabilitation of displaced individuals. He insisted that those most affected by mining should receive priority in benefiting from these resources.
The AJSU president also accused the state government of failing to utilize the revenue generated from the mineral sector effectively. He referenced alleged irregularities and illegal mining amounting to thousands of crores, arguing that if the government is not fully utilizing available funds, it is inappropriate to blame a lack of additional revenue for developmental obstacles. He raised concerns about the alleged underutilization of funds in 2025-26 and questioned the spending allocated for tribal welfare.
Regarding illegal mining, Sudesh Mahto stressed the need for effective measures to curb illegal coal mining in Jharkhand. He called for the deployment of additional security forces in mining areas, asserting that curbing illegal mining would boost legal production and consequently increase revenue for the state through royalties and other means. He accused the JMM government of turning the MMDR amendment issue into a matter of confrontational politics.
Mahto concluded by stating that if the state government is genuinely serious about Jharkhand’s interests, it must present solid facts and figures to the central government. He emphasized that the revenue generated from the state’s resources should benefit local communities and mining-affected regions.
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