BJP Leader Deepak Prakash Explains MMDR Amendment Act 2026, Calls It a Step Towards ‘One Nation, One Mineral Market’

Former Jharkhand BJP president and former Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash on Sunday described the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, as a significant step towards creating a unified national mineral market, promoting transparency and attracting investment in the mining sector.

Addressing a press conference at the auditorium of Hotel Bidesh in Gumla, Prakash said the amendment bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 12 and the Rajya Sabha on August 13. He outlined the key provisions and objectives of the legislation, arguing that a uniform policy framework would help reduce costs, accelerate mineral production and generate employment.

Prakash said the central idea behind the amendment was ‘One Nation, One Mineral Market’. He claimed that additional taxes and levies on mineral production, including the Mineral Bearing Tax in Jharkhand, increase the cost of locally produced coal, affecting its competitiveness and discouraging investment.

According to him, reducing the cost of mineral production and accelerating mining operations could create fresh opportunities for revenue generation and employment in the state.

Citing Odisha as an example, Prakash said the state had benefited significantly from the commencement of production at mineral blocks, while several blocks in Jharkhand were still awaiting the start of operations. He stressed that the timely and transparent utilisation of mineral resources was essential for strengthening the state’s economy.

Referring to changes in the mining sector over the past decade, Prakash said questions had frequently been raised about the allocation of mines before 2014. He pointed to the introduction of the auction-based system for mineral blocks by the Narendra Modi government in 2015, claiming that the reform improved transparency and enabled states to receive direct benefits from mineral revenues.

He also highlighted the growing importance of critical minerals, saying India needed a clear and stable policy framework to reduce its dependence on imports and strengthen self-reliance in the sector.

However, the proposed changes have also triggered political differences in Jharkhand. The state government and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) have expressed concerns that the amendment could affect the state's revenue and its rights over mineral resources.

The press conference was attended by BJP state secretary Muneshwar Sahu, district president Sagar Oraon, former district president Ravindra Singh, general secretaries Suresh Singh and Kaushalendra Jamwar, along with Jayant Kumar, Jai Sahu, Prem Kumar, Khushi Kumari and other party leaders and workers.