Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Kerala CM Satheesan Urges PM Modi to Reconsider Mining Amendment
The leader of Kerala, whose name is VD Satheesan, wrote a letter to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
He wants the Prime Minister to look again at a new law about mining.
Mining is when people dig up rocks and minerals from the ground.
The new law was passed by India's Parliament on August 13, 2026.
The leader thinks the law takes away power from the states.
States are like big regions of India, and Kerala is one of them.
The law would let the central government decide how states can collect money from land that has minerals.
Kerala worries it will lose money it needs for schools, roads, and other services.
The leader also reminded everyone that India's Supreme Court said states have the right to tax mineral land.
He hopes the Prime Minister will help fix the problem.
Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking reconsideration of provisions in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill.
The Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament on August 13, 2026.
Satheesan said proposed Section 9D would make states' power to levy taxes on mineral-bearing land subject to criteria prescribed by the Central Government.
He warned the amendments could undermine states' constitutional and fiscal powers and adversely affect Kerala's revenues and those of local self-government institutions.
He cited the Supreme Court's 2024 judgment that royalty on mining rights is not a tax and that states hold powers under Entry 50 of List II of the Seventh Schedule.
- Who
- Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan, who wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- What
- A request to reconsider provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026
- When
- After the Bill was passed by both Houses of Parliament on August 13, 2026
- Where
- Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
- Why
- Because the amendments could undermine states' constitutional and fiscal powers over mineral-bearing land and hurt state revenues
- Chief Minister
- VD Satheesan (Kerala)
- Addressed to
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Bill
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Passed by Parliament
- August 13, 2026
- Key provision
- Proposed Section 9D
- Core concern
- Central control over state taxation of mineral-bearing land
- Legal basis cited
- Entry 50, List II, Seventh Schedule; Supreme Court 2024 judgment
- Location
- Thiruvananthapuram