Jharkhand CM Soren vows to fight mines Bill on all democratic, legal fronts

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday said his Government would oppose the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, on every democratic, constitutional and legal front, alleging that the Centre passed it without taking States into confidence.

“The Centre has made changes to the MMDR Act that are highly adverse and truly unfortunate. These will seriously impact every tribal, Dalit, poor person, farmer and labourer in the State,” Soren said while addressing reporters here.

The JMM president chaired the party’s extended central committee meeting at Sohrai Bhawan here, where various issues, including the MMDR Bill, were discussed. 
Soren questioned the Centre’s decision to pass the legislation without consulting State Governments and asked who would compensate States for the losses expected to arise from the changes.

“Who will compensate for the massive losses that are bound to occur? It appears the central Government will not even compensate for past losses,” he said.

Soren said Jharkhand had already submitted a claim to the Centre for outstanding dues of `1.36 lakh crore from coal companies.

Parliament passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, on August 13. 

The legislation seeks to restrict States’ powers to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands. “We strongly oppose it, and we will also fight battles against it at the democratic, constitutional, and legal levels,” Soren said.

Soren alleged that the central Government appears far more sensitive towards developed States and feels a greater sense of accountability towards them. “There is absolutely no sign of empathy on the part of Adivasis, Dalits, or the backward classes,” he said.

Terming it a matter of serious concern for Jharkhand’s future, the CM said they will continue to discuss the matter and determine future strategy.

Earlier, Soren urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, saying restrictions on State levies could significantly reduce the State’s fiscal space and affect its ability to address the social and environmental costs of mining.