Ranchi: Union minister for women and child development, Annpurna Devi, on Saturday criticised Jharkhand govt for opposing the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act of 2026 and claimed it was being done to protect illegal mining and coal theft.Annpurna, speaking at a press conference at the BJP office here, said the new law would boost investment, generate employment and bring in transparency in the mining sector. “It will create new opportunities for investment and jobs, allowing more youth to find work within the state and reducing migration,” she said.The minister claimed Jharkhand govt is not interested in maximising lawful revenue generation and is opposing the Act because it would curb irregularities in the mining sector. “The state govt is opposing the Act to encourage coal theft and illegal mining,” she alleged. She said several mineral-rich states, including Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Kerala, accepted the law, while opposition was being witnessed only in Jharkhand.The Koderma MP said the law aims to bring uniformity and transparency to taxation in the mining sector by preventing states from imposing arbitrary taxes and cess after the auction of mines. “A streamlined tax regime would reduce uncertainty for businesses and improve the ease of doing business,” she said.“PM’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047 also envisages the development of every state, and the MMDR amendment is a step in that direction,” Annupurna said.Congress accused Annpurna and the BJP of misleading the people. “Why is the Centre desperate to limit the power of states to levy taxes and cesses on minerals? Due to this, Jharkhand is set to lose around Rs 14,656 crore in the ongoing financial year. The revenue is crucial for development and welfare schemes. Jharkhand’s mineral wealth should primarily benefit the state’s people. Efforts to weaken its financial strength and federal rights will be opposed,“ Congress spokesperson Rakesh Sinha said.
