Ranchi: Jharkhand Rural Development, Rural Works and Panchayati Raj Minister Deepika Pandey Singh has termed the proposed MMDR Amendment Bill, 2026, and the Mineral-Bearing Land Cess (JMBL Cess) issue as an attempt to undermine the rights and financial autonomy of states. She said the proposed amendment could restrict mineral-rich states like Jharkhand from imposing taxes, cess or other levies on mineral-bearing land without conditions prescribed by the Central Government.
Singh said Jharkhand, despite being endowed with abundant mineral resources, has also been bearing the social and environmental costs of mining, including displacement, loss of land, environmental degradation, water and air pollution, pressure on forest areas and disruption of social and cultural life.
She said the nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court had delivered an important judgment in July 2024 in the Mineral Area Development Authority v. Steel Authority of India Limited case. Following the judgment, the Jharkhand Assembly passed the Jharkhand Mineral Bearing Land Cess Act, 2024.
According to Singh, JMBL Cess has rapidly emerged as an important source of revenue for the state. Jharkhand received ₹1,379 crore in 2024-25 and ₹7,488 crore in 2025-26, while revenue of ₹13,215 crore has been estimated for 2026-27.
She said the revenue generated through the cess is being utilised for public welfare programmes, including healthcare, education, social security, rural development, drinking water and sanitation, agriculture and livelihoods, and infrastructure development.
“JMBL Cess is not merely a source of revenue for Jharkhand; it is an important financial foundation for the development of mining-affected areas,” Singh said.
She urged the Central Government to reconsider the proposed amendment in the larger interest of Jharkhand. “We will not remain silent over the injustice being done to Jharkhand. The Congress and the alliance government will oppose the Central Government’s amendment at every level,” she said.
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