Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
Former Union minister Subodh Kant Sahay on Tuesday alleged that the proposed amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR) Bill were a “direct attack” on Jharkhand’s economic interests, constitutional rights of states and the federal structure.
Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhawan here, Sahay questioned the Centre over the proposed restrictions on the state’s revenue-raising powers from mineral-bearing land and demanded clarity on the possible financial implications for Jharkhand.
Sahay said the Jharkhand government has estimated revenue of around Rs 14,000 crore from Mineral Bearing Land Cess in its 2026-27 Budget. He questioned who would compensate the state if the proposed legislation limits or prevents it from collecting the amount.
“The MMDR Bill is not merely a mining law. It is a question of Jharkhand’s economic and federal autonomy,” Sahay said, asking why the Centre was seeking to restrict a major potential source of revenue for a mineral-rich state.
He raised 10 questions before the Centre, including why Jharkhand’s potential ₹14,000-crore revenue was being targeted, why decisions concerning the state’s land and minerals should be taken in Delhi, and why the amendment was being introduced after the Supreme Court’s 2024 Constitution Bench judgment concerning states’ powers over minerals and mineral-bearing land.
Sahay also sought a written assurance from the Centre on compensation for any revenue loss and questioned how mineral-affected and tribal areas would be developed if the state’s revenue sources were weakened.
He further questioned the proposed treatment of unpaid or unrecovered dues and asked BJP MPs from Jharkhand to clarify whether they would raise the state’s concerns in Parliament.
Sahay said the Centre’s argument about states receiving a substantial share of total mining payments should not be conflated with the separate issue of a state’s power to impose additional levies or cess within its constitutional jurisdiction.
“Jharkhand provides the country with coal, iron ore, bauxite and other minerals, while bearing the burden of displacement, pollution, unemployment and social costs. The people of Jharkhand must have the first and fair share in the benefits of their mineral resources,” he said.
He added that ₹14,000 crore was not a small amount and would have significant implications for development and welfare programmes in the state.
Sahay appealed to all political parties, particularly BJP MPs from Jharkhand, to rise above partisan politics and jointly protect the state’s economic interests and federal rights.
Rakesh Sinha, Sonal Shanti, Kamal Thakur and Ujjwal Tiwari were also present at the press conference.
