Jharkhand opposing MMDR Act to enable coal theft, alleges Annpurna Devi
Union Minister Annpurna Devi accused the Jharkhand government of opposing the MMDR Amendment Act to facilitate coal theft, while Chief Minister Hemant Soren defended his stance.
Union Minister of Women and Child Development and Jharkhand BJP leader Annpurna Devi on Saturday accused the Hemant Soren government of opposing the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 in order to facilitate coal theft in the State.
Speaking at a press conference at the BJP State office in Ranchi, Ms. Devi said the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal were attempting to mislead and confuse people about the amended law. She alleged that the State government fails to conduct auctions on time and does not seek legitimate revenue for the State exchequer, instead aiming at an increase in personal revenue.
Highlighting the benefits of the amendment, the Minister said the changes would attract fresh investment and generate substantial employment opportunities in Jharkhand, improving the chances of young people finding work within the State and curbing migration.
According to Ms. Devi, the primary objective of the Act is to streamline taxation in the mining sector and bring in transparency. She said the amendment would curb arbitrary actions by the State government, which, she claimed, had earlier imposed new taxes and cesses after auctions, causing difficulties for business operators who faced exploitation and harassment over cesses and outstanding tax dues. Under the new framework, she said, the Centre will implement uniform taxes and levies nationwide without interference from the State government.
Ms. Devi also pointed out that the MMDR Act has been implemented in States including Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Kerala, noting that many of these are Congress-ruled States where the law is being welcomed rather than opposed.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren has previously described the legislation as a "black Bill" and an injustice to Jharkhand and its people. Defending his position, he had said that minerals and land belong to Jharkhand, questioning why Delhi should decide on the State's rights and entitlements.