Jharkhand Congress Questions Raghubar Das on MMDR Amendment

PNS

The Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee has strongly opposed former Chief Minister Raghubar Das’s recent endorsement of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026. In an open letter, State Spokesperson Vijay Shankar Nayak argued that the amendment compromises Jharkhand’s constitutional rights over its mineral wealth.

Das had claimed that the law would ensure transparency, attract investment, and allow states to retain 90% of mining revenues. Nayak countered that Section 9D of the Act restricts the state’s power to levy taxes or cess on mineral rights, placing future revenue streams under Central control. He warned that Jharkhand could lose potential revenue of ₹11,000 crore, which currently funds essential infrastructure, education, and healthcare in mining‑affected regions.

Citing official figures, Nayak noted Jharkhand’s substantial receipts from Coal India Limited and GST collections, questioning why the state should risk limiting its statutory rights. He dismissed Das’s argument about unspent DMF funds, stating that under‑utilization cannot justify weakening taxation powers.

“The minerals come out of Jharkhand’s soil, the people face displacement, and the villages bear pollution,” Nayak wrote. He demanded a public guarantee that the amendment would not reduce Jharkhand’s mineral revenue rights, calling the state’s natural wealth the rightful property of its people.