Ranchi: The CPI(ML) has termed the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, 2026, an attack on Jharkhand’s economic interests and the constitutional autonomy of the states. CPI(ML) state secretary Comrade Manoj Bhakta and Politburo member and former Bagodar MLA Vinod Kumar Singh said the Modi government had passed the Bill by voice vote, ignoring the interests and concerns of the states.
The CPI(ML) leaders said the amendment seeks to restrict the states’ powers to impose additional taxes on minerals and mineral-bearing land. This, they said, would directly affect state revenues. Jharkhand, whose economy and social development are closely linked to its mineral resources, would be particularly affected by the move.
They alleged that while the Centre was reducing or withholding the states’ share in central taxes and grants, it was also restricting their ability to generate additional revenue from their own resources. This, they said, would make it difficult for the state government to run and expand welfare initiatives related to education, healthcare, employment, scholarships and schemes such as the Maiyan Samman Yojana.
The CPI(ML) leaders also questioned the role of BJP MPs from Jharkhand. “Why did the BJP MPs who claim to speak for Jharkhand remain silent when the Bill was passed in Parliament? Could they not raise their voice before their own party’s government to protect Jharkhand’s mineral resources and the rights of its people?” they asked.
The CPI(ML) said the issue was not merely about mineral revenue but also concerned the constitutional autonomy of the states, the federal structure and the rights of state governments. The party demanded that the Centre withdraw provisions that weaken the rights of the states.
The CPI(ML) appealed to the Jharkhand government and all democratic, progressive and opposition forces to strongly oppose the provisions and build a broad-based popular resistance against them.
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