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Politics
Jharkhand to Challenge Amended MMDR Act in Supreme Court Over Revenue Loss
✍️ Daily Pioneer
🗓 27 Aug 2026, 01:37 PM
👁 2
The Jharkhand government plans to file a petition in the Supreme Court, contesting the recent amendment to the MMDR Act that it says will cause significant revenue loss for the state.
The state administration of Jharkhand announced its intention to approach the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the latest amendment to the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act. Officials contend that the revised provisions will erode the state's fiscal resources by altering royalty calculations and permitting greater private sector access to mineral blocks.
According to the state’s finance department, preliminary estimates indicate a potential shortfall of several hundred crore rupees annually. The government argues that the amendment, passed by the central legislature, bypasses the fiscal safeguards previously embedded in the act, thereby undermining the revenue share that states receive from mineral exploitation.
Legal experts note that the challenge could set a precedent for other mineral-rich states facing similar concerns. The Supreme Court's decision will likely examine the balance between central policy objectives and state fiscal rights under the Constitution.
Jharkhand's chief minister's office declined to comment on the timing of the filing but reaffirmed the state's commitment to protect its revenue interests. The petition is expected to be submitted in the coming weeks.
According to the state’s finance department, preliminary estimates indicate a potential shortfall of several hundred crore rupees annually. The government argues that the amendment, passed by the central legislature, bypasses the fiscal safeguards previously embedded in the act, thereby undermining the revenue share that states receive from mineral exploitation.
Legal experts note that the challenge could set a precedent for other mineral-rich states facing similar concerns. The Supreme Court's decision will likely examine the balance between central policy objectives and state fiscal rights under the Constitution.
Jharkhand's chief minister's office declined to comment on the timing of the filing but reaffirmed the state's commitment to protect its revenue interests. The petition is expected to be submitted in the coming weeks.