Ranchi, August 26, 2026: The political dispute over the MMDR amendment has intensified in Jharkhand, with state Congress president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh criticising former chief minister Raghubar Das over his description of the legislation as being in the state’s interest.
Kamlesh argued that the amendment could affect Jharkhand’s rights over its mineral resources and revenue. He also challenged Das to account for the record of his tenure as chief minister before commenting on the state’s interests.
The Congress leader’s remarks come amid a wider political debate over the role of the Centre and states in regulating mineral resources and sharing revenue generated from mining.
Congress raises questions over mineral revenue
Kamlesh alleged that the amendment would restrict the policy-making and revenue rights of states. He argued that Jharkhand’s mineral resources should be viewed in the context of the interests of the state’s tribal and indigenous communities.
The Congress also blamed the previous BJP government for the condition of communities living in mining-affected areas.
Kamlesh questioned the BJP’s emphasis on “transparent legal mining” and the reference to 90% payments, arguing that the key issue was whether there would be a legal safeguard for the state’s mineral revenue and rights relating to mineral-bearing land.
He alleged that the proposed framework could result in Jharkhand’s mineral resources being extracted while key decisions are taken outside the state.
Congress puts five questions to BJP
The Jharkhand Congress president raised five questions regarding the proposed amendment:
- What legal guarantee will protect Jharkhand’s revenue rights after the MMDR amendment?
- Why, the Congress asked, are the state’s rights relating to mineral-bearing land cess being weakened?
- How will the interests of local and tribal communities in mining areas be protected?
- What concrete steps has the Centre taken to increase Jharkhand’s economic share from its mineral resources?
- If the amendment is in the state’s interest, why should there be any reluctance to hold an open discussion with all political parties?
Kamlesh maintained that Jharkhand’s claim over its mineral resources should not depend on political favour and called for greater scrutiny of the proposed changes.
The statements in this report represent the Jharkhand Congress’s position on the MMDR amendment. The source material does not include a response from Raghubar Das or the BJP to the allegations and questions raised by the Congress.
