Parliament on Thursday passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to restrict the power of state governments to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands.
The Lok Sabha had passed the Bill on Wednesday, while the Rajya Sabha cleared it on Thursday, completing the parliamentary approval process. The legislation will come into force after receiving the President’s assent.
Replying to the debate in the Rajya Sabha, Union Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said the legislation does not seek to interfere with the autonomy or revenue rights of states, but aims to ensure uniformity in mineral rates across the country.
Reddy said the Centre would regulate major minerals such as coal, limestone, iron ore, copper and manganese, while states would continue to exercise powers over 49 minor minerals.
Defending the legislation, the Minister said coal remains crucial for India’s power sector, accounting for 73 per cent of electricity generation. He said reliable electricity supply was essential for maintaining the competitiveness of Indian industry.
Reddy also said the share of mineral revenue accruing to states had increased from 65 per cent in 2014-15 to 85 per cent currently, while the states’ share of coal revenue had risen from 51 per cent to 96 per cent.
He said the Centre receives about 11 per cent of mineral revenue, with around 88 per cent going to states, and asserted that no state would suffer revenue losses as a result of the amendment.
The Minister referred to Entry 54 of the Union List, which empowers Parliament to regulate mines and mineral development in the public interest, and said taxation was an important instrument for regulating and developing the sector.
The debate on the Bill took place amid sloganeering by Opposition MPs, who have been demanding the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament over concerns regarding alleged police action against students protesting at Jantar Mantar over the medical entrance examination paper leak.
Opposition members also raised slogans over allegations concerning the theft of donations made to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
The Bill was passed after the Rajya Sabha rejected by voice vote an amendment moved by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva seeking to refer the legislation to a Select Committee of the House.
Some Opposition MPs sought a division on the amendment, but Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan said the voting exercise could not be conducted amid the din in the House.
-PTI
The post Parliament passes Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, 2026 appeared first on DD India.
