Jamshedpur: The political debate over the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, intensified in Jharkhand on Monday, with JMM central spokesperson and former Baharagora MLA Kunal Sarangi challenging BJP leaders to an open debate on the law. Sarangi argued that Jharkhand’s mining conditions and the state’s social and economic circumstances needed to be considered separately while discussing mineral rights and revenue.
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Sarangi said Jharkhand’s coal quality, mining areas and local socio-cultural conditions were different from those in other states. He said the state’s coal had its own grades and standards and that any discussion on cess and other mining provisions should take local conditions into account. He also claimed that the cess imposed in Jharkhand was lower than that in Odisha. These were his political arguments on the issue.
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Reacting to statements by BJP leaders, including Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi, Sarangi said he was ready for a public or online discussion on the amended MMDR law and mining provisions. The BJP has taken a different position, saying that laws passed by Parliament in accordance with the Constitution apply to states. The party has also said that states will continue to receive around 90% of mining-related revenue under the amended framework.
CNT-SPT Provisions Also Cited
Sarangi also referred to Jharkhand’s Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) and Santhal Pargana Tenancy (SPT) laws, saying their historical and social background should be considered while discussing mining and land-related issues in the state. He accused BJP leaders of relying on political statements rather than facts, a claim that the BJP disputes through its separate position on the amendment. The debate has also brought state rights over mineral resources and fiscal autonomy into sharper political focus.
State Government Prepared for Supreme Court Challenge
The Jharkhand Government has already decided to approach the Supreme Court against the amended law. Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore said the state would challenge provisions concerning mineral cess and pursue its claim of around Rs 1.36 lakh crore in earlier mining-related dues. The state has also cited a potential revenue impact of around Rs 14,000 crore from the changes relating to mineral cess. The Centre and BJP have disputed the state’s interpretation of the amendment and maintained that states’ revenue interests remain protected.
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