Ranchi, Aug 21 (PTI) The Congress in Jharkhand on Friday announced that the party will launch a phase-wise protest from August 27 against the passage of a bill in Parliament, which seeks to restrict states’ powers to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land parcels.
The party said the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 is “against the interest of the state”.
As part of the protest, a day-long sit-in will be staged across district headquarters in Jharkhand on August 27, and a memorandum will be submitted to the President through deputy commissioners, state Congress president Keshav Mahato Kamlesh said.
On September 7, a dharna will be held at the Lok Bhawan here, and sit-ins will be organised at all block headquarters between September 9 and 16, he said.
“The people will be apprised of the losses Jharkhand will face due to the MMDR Amendment Bill. The donation theft incident at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya will also be taken to the block level,” Kamlesh said, addressing a press conference here.
Parliament passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, on August 13. The legislation seeks to restrict states’ powers to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands.
Kamlesh said Jharkhand received Rs 1,380 crore from mineral cess in 2024-25 and Rs 7,487.91 crore in 2025-26.
“The funds provided financial support to various welfare schemes. Removing the cess on minerals will impact several public welfare initiatives, particularly those related to health, education, housing, pensions, and the ‘Maiyan Samman’ scheme,” he claimed.
He alleged that the BJP-led Centre meted out a stepmotherly approach to Jharkhand.
Kamlesh said the JMM-led state government has taken up the mines bill issue seriously.
The Congress is a constituent of the ruling alliance. PTI SAN BDC
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