Jharkhand Congress Announces Statewide Protest Against MMDR Bill, District Demonstrations on August 27

The Jharkhand Pradesh Congress has announced a phased agitation against the proposed Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Bill, alleging that the proposed changes could adversely affect the state's mineral revenue and economic interests.

The party has also included allegations related to donations collected for the Ram Temple among the issues it plans to raise during the protests. Pradesh Congress president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh said the party would take the issue from the streets to the House through a series of demonstrations.

As part of the programme, Congress workers will stage protests at all district headquarters across Jharkhand on August 27. This will be followed by a demonstration near Parliament on September 7, while protests will be organised at block headquarters across the state from September 9 to 16.

Congress claims Rs 15,000 crore revenue impact

Opposing the proposed MMDR amendments, Kamlesh said Jharkhand's economy is closely linked to its mineral resources and revenue generated from the sector supports several welfare programmes.

The Congress has claimed that the proposed changes could potentially cause a financial loss of around Rs 15,000 crore to Jharkhand. The party has accused the Centre of adopting a discriminatory approach towards the mineral-rich state.

Kamlesh said the Congress would continue its opposition through democratic and constitutional means and would raise the issue both inside and outside the legislature. The party has urged its workers to participate in the scheduled protests and highlight concerns related to mineral resources, royalties and the state's financial interests.

'Jharkhand's minerals, land and pollution, but Centre will decide'

Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat also criticised the proposed legislation and questioned the Centre's role in decisions concerning Jharkhand's mineral resources.

He argued that the minerals and land belong to Jharkhand and that local residents bear the environmental consequences of mining, yet major policy decisions are taken at the central level.

Bhagat also referred to the cess imposed by Jharkhand following a Supreme Court ruling, saying that the revenue generated through it is used for welfare schemes in the state. He alleged that the Centre's approach goes against the spirit of the court's decision.

Bhagat also criticised BJP leaders, saying that political support should not be sought in Jharkhand while decisions affecting the state's interests are taken elsewhere. He further alleged that the Centre's policies were increasingly favouring the private sector.

Ram Temple donation allegations also part of protest

Alongside the MMDR Bill, the Congress has decided to raise allegations concerning alleged irregularities in donations collected for the Ram Temple.

Kamlesh accused the BJP of attempting to avoid accountability in the matter and alleged political protection in connection with the accusations. He also referred to Champat Rai while making the allegations and questioned the manner in which the issue was handled.

These claims are political allegations made by Congress leaders and have been included by the party as part of its broader campaign. The Congress has demanded accountability and said the matter will be raised during its protests beginning August 27.

The planned agitation is expected to put the spotlight on the larger debate over control of mineral resources, revenue-sharing and the balance of powers between the Centre and mineral-rich states. The state Congress has appealed to its workers to participate in the campaign and make the protests successful.