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Criticism Mounts Against Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill Across India
Leaders from Jharkhand and Kerala express strong opposition to the recently passed Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, citing concerns over state rights and federal structure.
Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, has voiced his opposition to the recently passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. He described the legislation as a 'black bill' and termed it an injustice to the people of Jharkhand, emphasizing its implications for the state's rights regarding mineral taxation and land rights.
In Kerala, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan also expressed strong discontent with the Amendment Bill, arguing that it effectively transfers authority over land from the states to the Union government. His remarks reflect a common concern among various state leaders regarding their diminishing powers in this context.
The Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, criticized the Amendment Act as an assault on the federal structure outlined by the Constitution. He further alleged that the legislation was part of a broader strategy to allow private monopolies greater access to India's mineral resources.