Hemant Soren Urges Modi to Reconsider Mining Amendment Bill

Chief Minister Hemant Soren urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 13 to reconsider the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The legislation, which has passed both Houses of Parliament, prevents states from imposing taxes or levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands unless they adhere to conditions set by the central government.

Soren argued that the bill undermines a July 2024 Supreme Court of India ruling that recognized the competence of states to tax mineral-bearing land. He warned that the restrictions threaten the federal balance and would severely impact Jharkhand's fiscal capacity. According to Soren, mining revenue accounted for 84.9% of the state's non-tax revenue in 2024-25, with the Mineral Bearing Land Cess expected to generate Rs 11,000 crore annually.

The Chief Minister called for a consultation process involving other mineral-producing states, such as Odisha and Karnataka. He stated that Jharkhand reserves the right to seek legal remedies through the Supreme Court if the central government does not reconsider the legislation.