What happened: Jharkhand’s plan to approach the Supreme Court against MMDR Act amendments
Jharkhand Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore stated that the Jharkhand government will approach the Supreme Court against amendments to the MMDR (Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation)) Act.
Radhakrishna Kishore alleged that the MMDR Act amendments would cause a major revenue loss of about ₹14,000 crore to the Jharkhand state exchequer. Radhakrishna Kishore also alleged that the amendments would affect social welfare schemes, with emphasis on the women-centric “Maiyan Samman Yojana”.
Radhakrishna Kishore stated that the Jharkhand chief minister issued an order supporting the Jharkhand government’s Supreme Court move against the MMDR Act amendments.
Background and earlier position: MMDR Act amendments and state stakes in mining governance
The MMDR (Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation)) Act provides the legal framework for mining and mineral development in India. States have an administrative role in mining governance, so legislative changes in mining regulation can affect state revenue expectations and state-level welfare spending priorities.