Jharkhand News : JMM central spokesperson and former MLA Kunal Sarangi questioned the Centre’s policies on Jharkhand’s mineral rights and revenue during a press conference at the Circuit House in Bistupur on Sunday. He said the state would not compromise on its constitutional and financial rights and warned that any protest could be expanded from districts to blocks and panchayats.
Sarangi said minerals extracted from Jharkhand’s land make a significant contribution to the country’s industrial development. However, he said the people of the state bear the consequences of displacement, pollution and environmental damage caused by mining.
Questions Raised Over Mineral Revenue Rights
Kunal Sarangi questioned the Centre’s policies in connection with the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Amendment Act, 2026.
He said the new provisions could affect the powers of states to impose taxes, cess and other levies on mineral-bearing land. According to him, limiting the state’s rights related to mineral revenue would amount to economic injustice to Jharkhand.
He said the Jharkhand government is opposing the changes and that Chief Minister Hemant Soren has also sought reconsideration of the law by the Centre.
Reference to Supreme Court Constitution Bench Verdict
Sarangi referred to the July 2024 Supreme Court Constitution Bench judgment, saying that mineral-bearing land has been treated as land.
He said that following the judgment, the Jharkhand Assembly passed the Mineral Bearing Land Cess Act. He maintained that any attempt to weaken the state’s constitutional rights and financial autonomy would not be accepted.
Sarangi said revenue received through the mineral-bearing land cess is important for Jharkhand’s development.
Revenue Estimated at Thousands of Crores
Citing available figures, Sarangi said revenue from the mineral-bearing land cess was estimated at around ₹1,379 crore in 2024-25, approximately ₹7,488 crore in 2025-26 and around ₹13,215 crore in 2026-27.
He said the funds could be used for education, healthcare, drinking water, rural development, social security and rehabilitation of people affected by mining.
Focus on Development of Mining-Affected Areas
Sarangi said mineral resources come from Jharkhand’s land and therefore the state’s interests cannot be ignored while taking economic decisions related to those resources.
He said mining leads to displacement, water and air pollution, pressure on forest areas and additional pressure on local infrastructure. Therefore, a significant portion of mineral revenue should be spent on the development of affected areas.
Warning of Wider Agitation
The JMM leader said the country benefits from Jharkhand’s mineral resources, but the rights of the state and interests of its people cannot be ignored.
He warned that if the Centre does not reconsider its position on Jharkhand’s mineral and revenue rights, the agitation would be expanded and taken from districts to blocks and panchayat levels.
Kunal Sarangi also urged the Centre to hold extensive consultations with the states and ensure protection of the financial interests of mineral-producing states.
He said Jharkhand is not opposed to the use of its natural resources, but it would not accept any arrangement at the cost of the state’s constitutional and economic rights.
