The Jharkhand Congress has announced a fresh march to Lok Bhavan on September 26 against the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, reopening a dispute over the State’s mineral rights, revenue powers and the balance of authority between the Centre and mineral-rich States.

March Set for September 26

State Congress president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh announced the programme after a meeting of party functionaries at the party headquarters in Ranchi. The Congress had earlier postponed its planned Lok Bhavan march following the death of JMM minister Sudivya Kumar.

The party has maintained that the amended law undermines Jharkhand’s interests and intends to take its objections to the Governor through the proposed mobilisation.

The Dispute Over Mineral Revenue

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 was passed by Parliament on August 13 and received Presidential assent on August 17. Among its provisions, the amended framework brings mineral-bearing lands within the Act’s scope and restricts State governments from imposing taxes, cess or other levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands except under conditions prescribed by the Centre.

Kamlesh has argued that Jharkhand, whose economy is deeply linked to mineral resources, risks losing both fiscal space and authority over revenues generated from those resources.

Centre, State Present Different Positions

The Centre has maintained that the amendment does not take away States’ rights over land and minerals or their existing mineral-related tax revenue. It has also said that around 90 per cent of total taxes and statutory payments from mining continue to accrue to States.

Jharkhand’s government has separately indicated that it will challenge the amended law in the Supreme Court.

The Battle Now Moves Beyond the Bill

The September 26 march will add a political dimension to an issue already moving towards legal scrutiny. The larger question is how Jharkhand’s mineral wealth, fiscal interests and constitutional powers will be reconciled under the amended framework—and ultimately settled through institutional and judicial processes.

Source: https://dailypioneer.com/news/jharkhand-congress-march-lok-bhavan-mines-act