MMDR Amendment Is Not for Any One State, But for the Entire Country’s Mineral Sector: Ashok Badaik
Ranchi, August 25, 2026: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state spokesperson Ashok Badaik hit back at the Congress over its allegations regarding the MMDR Amendment Act, asserting that the MMDR amendment is not meant for any one state, but for the mineral sector across the entire country to ensure greater transparency, systematic regulation and accountability.
Badaik said the questions raised by Congress leader and former Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay were driven more by political confusion than facts. He asked the Congress to explain why it was creating confusion among people when the mineral revenue and statutory rights of states remain protected.
He questioned the Congress over repeatedly citing a possible revenue figure of ₹14,000 crore, saying that merely quoting a large figure does not make it assured or constitutional revenue. The Congress, he said, should explain the basis of the figure, the actual amount likely to be collected and its precise legal connection with the MMDR amendment.
Badaik said it has been clarified at the central level that around 90 percent of revenue generated from the mineral sector goes to the states. Therefore, the Congress narrative that the Centre would take away Jharkhand’s entire mineral revenue is misleading, he claimed.
He also questioned the Congress on the utilisation of mineral revenue in Jharkhand. He asked why details regarding roads, drinking water, healthcare, education, rehabilitation and employment in mining-affected areas, as well as the effective utilisation of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, were not being placed before the public.
On the Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment cited by Congress leaders, Badaik said that respecting the court’s decision and bringing necessary clarity and uniformity through legislation was not an attack on the federal structure, but part of ensuring legal and administrative clarity.
He said that if the Congress believes the MMDR amendment is unconstitutional, it should debate the provisions with facts in Parliament and pursue the judicial route. Telling people that Jharkhand’s entire mineral revenue would be taken to Delhi, he said, was irresponsible politics.
Badaik also questioned the Congress over illegal mining and coal-related activities in Dhanbad, Chatra, Hazaribagh and other mining areas of Jharkhand. He alleged that the Congress and JMM become uncomfortable whenever strict action is taken against illegal coal trade, syndicates and mining mafias.
“If the Congress is genuinely concerned about government revenue, it should also explain how many times it has raised its voice against revenue losses caused by illegal mining,” he said.
Badaik further criticised the state government over cess and various levies on coal, saying that if the Congress was genuinely concerned about industry, employment and Jharkhand’s economic interests, it should also explain the impact of the state’s tax and cess structure on industries.
On the issue of outstanding dues, he said the Congress should clarify how much of the claimed dues are actually payable, what their legal basis is and what effective steps the state government has taken for their recovery.
Responding to the Congress questioning whether BJP MPs stand with Jharkhand or Delhi, Badaik said BJP MPs stand with both Jharkhand and the country. He said the BJP’s politics is based on balancing national and state interests rather than narrow regional interests.
Badaik also targeted the Congress over issues concerning the future of students in Jharkhand. He claimed that the BJP had consistently demanded a CBI probe into the JPSC-JSSC controversy, while alleging that the Congress and JMM had attempted to weaken the students’ movement.
He said the BJP would continue to place the facts regarding the MMDR law, state revenue, transparency in the mineral sector and action against illegal mining before the public.
Badaik said that if the Congress and JMM’s opposition was genuinely in Jharkhand’s interest, they should debate every provision of the law with facts. If, however, the objective was to protect old channels of illegal mining, syndicates and corruption, the BJP would expose it before the people.
He reiterated that Jharkhand’s mineral resources belong to the people of Jharkhand and that the BJP wants the benefits of these resources to reach the public. He said the Centre’s objective under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership is to make the mineral sector more transparent and organised.
“Congress can spread as much confusion as it wants, but the BJP will continue taking the truth about the MMDR amendment to the people. The final decision will not be made at press conferences, but in the court of public opinion,” Badaik said.
