Soren flags mining bill threat to Jharkhand rev

Jharkhand's Chief Minister Hemant Soren has expressed strong dissent towards The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which was recently approved by Parliament. Soren's JMM party, along with other opposition parties, opposed the Bill in both Houses during the Monsoon Session. Following the Bill's passage, Soren has penned letters to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Modi, and even the Opposition Leader in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, urging them to reconsider certain amendments and provisions in the Bill.

Soren highlighted that India's nine-judge Constitution Bench confirmed that states possess the authority to tax mineral-bearing lands within their jurisdictions. However, the new Bill permits states to impose cess or tax on minerals, but with conditions set by the central government. He emphasized that this change will significantly impact Jharkhand, as mining revenue accounts for 84.9% of the state's non-tax revenue.

The government had anticipated generating approximately ₹11,000 crore annually through cess on mine-bearing land.

Soren issued a stark warning, stating that if the central government fails to revise the Bill, there will be widespread protests across every block and district in Jharkhand. These protests will demand the restoration of the state's rights over its mines and mineral resources.