1 week ago
Jharkhand Congress Announces Protest Against Mines Tax Powers Bill
Jharkhand Congress is unhappy with a new mining law passed by Parliament.
The law would limit how much states can collect from mineral rights and mineral-rich land.
Congress says this could reduce money available to Jharkhand.
The party says Jharkhand received large amounts from mineral cess in the last two financial years.
It believes welfare programs could suffer if that money decreases.
Congress will hold protests starting August 27.
The protests will happen at district, state, and block offices.
The party will also send a memorandum to the President through district officials.
Jharkhand Congress will begin a phased protest against the MMDR Amendment Bill on August 27.
The bill restricts states’ powers to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land.
A day-long sit-in will be held at district headquarters, followed by a September 7 dharna in Ranchi.
Block-level sit-ins are planned across Jharkhand from September 9 to 16.
Congress says reduced mineral cess revenue could affect welfare schemes in the state.
- Who
- The Jharkhand Congress, led in the announcement by state president Keshav Mahato Kamlesh.
- What
- A phased protest against the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026.
- Where
- Across Jharkhand, including district and block headquarters, with a dharna at Lok Bhawan in Ranchi.
- When
- The protest begins August 27; further actions are scheduled for September 7 and September 9-16. Parliament passed the bill on August 13.
- Why
- Congress says the bill will restrict Jharkhand’s mineral-tax powers and threaten funding for welfare schemes.
Jharkhand Congress’ position
Bill’s stated policy direction
State taxation powers
Jharkhand Congress’ position
Congress says restricting taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land is against Jharkhand’s interests and will reduce the state’s fiscal powers.
Bill’s stated policy direction
The legislation seeks to restrict states’ powers to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands.
Welfare funding
Jharkhand Congress’ position
Congress claims removing or reducing the mineral cess could affect health, education, housing, pensions, and the Maiyan Samman scheme.
Bill’s stated policy direction
The articles describe the bill’s tax restrictions but do not provide the Centre’s response to Congress’ welfare-funding claims.
Political response
Jharkhand Congress’ position
Congress says the BJP-led Centre has treated Jharkhand unfairly and plans a phased statewide campaign.
Bill’s stated policy direction
The articles do not report a response from the BJP-led Centre; Congress says the JMM-led Jharkhand government has taken the issue seriously.
Key facts
- Bill
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Parliamentary passage
- Parliament passed the bill on August 13, 2026.
- First protest
- Day-long sit-ins at district headquarters across Jharkhand on August 27.
- State-level protest
- A dharna is scheduled at Lok Bhawan in Ranchi on September 7.
- Block-level protests
- Sit-ins are planned at all block headquarters from September 9 to 16.
- Mineral cess revenue
- Jharkhand received Rs 1,380 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 7,487.91 crore in 2025-26, according to Kamlesh.
- Memorandum
- Congress plans to submit a memorandum to the President through deputy commissioners.
Quotes
Keshav Mahato Kamlesh
Jharkhand Congress president
“The funds provided financial support to various welfare schemes. Removing the cess on minerals will impact several public welfare initiatives, particularly those related to health, education, housing, pensions, and the ‘Maiyan Samman’ scheme”
theprint.in
“The people will be apprised of the losses Jharkhand will face due to the MMDR Amendment Bill. The donation theft incident at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will also be taken to the block level.”
theprint.in
Sources
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