Mineral Law Amendment Direct Attack on States’ Rights, Centre Must Withdraw It Immediately: Pradeep Yadav

Congress Legislature Party leader in the Jharkhand Assembly Pradeep Yadav has strongly opposed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed by the Lok Sabha, describing it as a direct attack on the constitutional rights of states and the country’s federal financial structure.

Yadav termed the proposed legislation a “black law” and accused the Narendra Modi-led Central government of attempting to weaken the constitutional and financial powers of states and deprive them of their legitimate share of revenue from mineral resources.

Referring to the Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment by a nine-judge Constitution Bench, Yadav said states had been recognised as having the power to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land. He alleged that the Centre was now seeking to take away that authority through the proposed amendment.

“This is against the spirit of cooperative federalism and represents a serious assault on the financial autonomy of states,” Yadav said.

He stressed that the proposed changes could have particularly serious consequences for Jharkhand because the state’s economy is closely linked to its rich mineral resources. According to him, restricting the state’s ability to raise additional revenue from its mineral wealth could weaken its financial capacity to fund development and welfare programmes.

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Yadav also alleged that the Centre was trying to make states that did not agree with its political position financially dependent on the Union government. He claimed that such a move could reduce the ability of state governments to independently implement schemes aimed at supporting vulnerable sections of society.

Concern over welfare schemes

The Congress leader said Jharkhand currently runs several welfare programmes for poor families, women, farmers and other sections in need of government support. He specifically warned that the proposed changes could affect the financial resources available for schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana.

Yadav said the issue was not merely about the financial powers of the Jharkhand government but also about the social security of more than 50 lakh women who benefit from such welfare initiatives.

He asserted that women in Jharkhand would strongly oppose any move that could undermine their access to welfare support and financial assistance.

Congress to oppose Bill

Yadav said the Congress had opposed the Bill in Parliament and would continue to fight in Jharkhand to protect the state’s constitutional and financial rights.

He added that the people of Jharkhand would not allow their rights over jal, jungle, zameen and mineral resources to be weakened. According to him, the state’s natural wealth should contribute to the welfare and development of its people.

Yadav urged the Central government to rise above political differences and respect the constitutional powers of states. He demanded that the Centre reconsider the proposed legislation and withdraw the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026.

He maintained that no compromise would be acceptable when it comes to protecting the rights of states and the principles of India’s fiscal federalism.