Two contentious issues—control over mineral resources and alleged irregularities in government recruitment—are driving fresh political mobilisation in Jharkhand, with the Congress announcing a Lok Bhavan march and BJP leader Babulal Marandi renewing the demand for a CBI probe.

Jharkhand’s Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi on Sunday accused the JMM-led government of “trading away the future” of job aspirants, demanding a CBI probe into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations conducted by state agencies.

Congress Takes Mining Law to Lok Bhavan

The Jharkhand Congress will march to Lok Bhavan on September 26 against the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2026. State president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh announced the programme after a meeting of party functionaries in Ranchi. The march had earlier been postponed following the death of JMM minister Sudivya Kumar.

The amendment, passed by Parliament on August 13 and receiving Presidential assent on August 17, brings mineral-bearing lands within its framework and restricts States from imposing specified taxes, cess or other levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land except under conditions prescribed by the Centre.

The Congress argues that the changes weaken Jharkhand’s fiscal and regulatory interests. The Centre, however, maintains that States’ rights over land and minerals remain intact and that around 90% of mining-sector taxes and statutory payments continue to accrue to States.

Recruitment Row Returns to Centre Stage

Separately, Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has demanded a CBI investigation into alleged irregularities in JPSC and JSSC examinations. He sought scrutiny of chairpersons, members and officials who have served the two bodies since 2023, and called for withdrawal of cases against protesting students.

Six FIRs have been registered against more than 1,100 people, including 53 named individuals, over clashes involving protesting aspirants in Ranchi, Giridih and Hazaribagh.

Two Issues, One Larger Accountability Question

The mining dispute is moving towards political mobilisation and possible legal scrutiny, while the recruitment controversy remains under investigation and judicial consideration.

The Next Test Is Institutional

For the government, the coming phase will be defined by how it responds to questions over State resource rights, recruitment integrity and accountability—issues that increasingly extend beyond political statements into the courts, administrative processes and public scrutiny.

Source: https://dailypioneer.com/news/jharkhand-congress-march-lok-bhavan-mines-acthttps://dailypioneer.com/news/slug-lite/babulal-marandi-demands-cbi-probe-into-jharkhand-recruitment-exam-irregularities?year=2026