Deepak Birua, Jharkhand's Transport, Revenue and Land Reforms Minister, on Friday, 14 August called for an immediate special session of the state Assembly to formally oppose the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed by Parliament. Birua framed the issue not merely as a taxation dispute but as a direct challenge to states' constitutional fiscal autonomy.

What Birua Demanded

In a post on social media, Birua urged Chief Minister Hemant Soren to initiate the process of convening a special Assembly session to pass a resolution opposing the amendment. He also challenged the Opposition to back such a resolution, arguing the move would force all political parties to publicly declare their stance on protecting the state's rights. Birua stressed that Jharkhand should not adopt a defensive posture but instead mount a coordinated constitutional, legal, and political challenge against the Centre.

The Constitutional Basis

Birua cited a landmark 2024 ruling by a nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court, which recognised the authority of states to levy taxes and cess on minerals and mineral-bearing lands. Building on that precedent, he suggested the Jharkhand government consider approaching the Supreme Court directly under Article 131 of the Constitution to challenge the validity of the new law. He argued that if the Union government curtails states' taxation powers, Jharkhand should demand a statutory annual compensation package — modelled on the GST compensation mechanism — through parliamentary and fiscal forums.

The Fiscal and Social Stakes

The minister argued that Jharkhand bears the brunt of mining operations — including land acquisition, displacement, and environmental degradation — and must therefore retain its rightful claim over revenues generated from its mineral wealth. He questioned why decisions affecting revenues from Jharkhand's minerals and land should be made in New Delhi when the social and environmental costs are borne by the people of the state. This comes amid a broader federal tension over resource-sharing between mineral-rich states and the Centre, a fault line that has surfaced repeatedly in states like Odisha and Chhattisgarh as well.

Grassroots Mobilisation Push

Calling for wider public engagement, Birua advocated village-level awareness campaigns to involve tribals, indigenous communities, and local residents in the effort to protect the state's rights over its mineral resources and revenues. The appeal to tribal communities is particularly significant in Jharkhand, where a substantial share of the population belongs to Scheduled Tribes and where mineral extraction has historically displaced indigenous people. Notably, this is the first formal call within the ruling coalition for a special Assembly session specifically targeting the MMDR amendment.

What Happens Next

Whether Chief Minister Soren acts on the call for a special session will determine how far Jharkhand is willing to escalate the confrontation with the Centre. A resolution passed by the Assembly would carry symbolic and legal weight, potentially anchoring any future Supreme Court challenge under Article 131. Industry bodies and legal observers are watching closely, as the outcome could set a precedent for other mineral-rich states seeking to protect their fiscal ground.