Ranchi, September 14 (Daily Kiran) : The political landscape in Jharkhand has intensified over the state government’s decision to impose an additional ₹450 tax on coal. Opposition leader Babulal Marandi has raised concerns, asserting that the revised Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDRA) is now a nationwide law, effectively curtailing arbitrary taxation by states.
Marandi emphasized that this new law covers major minerals and prevents state governments from imposing taxes at will. He warned that such arbitrary taxation does not only affect the state but has repercussions across the entire country.
Using Jharkhand as an example, Marandi highlighted the implications of the additional coal tax. He noted that the state government has levied an extra ₹450 per ton of coal. This translates to an additional ₹13,500 for a truck carrying 30 tons of coal. He pointed out that the increased cost will ultimately burden electricity generation plants, leading to higher electricity prices for consumers. This, he argued, would negatively impact the general public and slow down the nation’s development, affecting businesses and industries that rely on affordable electricity.
Marandi expressed his belief that the enactment of the MDR law is a significant achievement. He stated that fostering communication and collaboration among people will lead to the resolution of various issues, a feat that had not been accomplished until now. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making this possible for the country.
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