Thiruvananthapuram: N K Premachandran, MP, urged chief minister V D Satheesan and the minister for forest Shibu Baby John to take steps to defend the state’s interests against the Union govt’s proposed mining law amendment. In a letter, he also wanted the CM to convene a meeting of other state chief ministers if necessary, to uphold the federal system, and to protect the fundamental values of the Constitution.He said that the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, introduced by the central govt in the Lok Sabha, undermines the powers of the states and goes against the federal structure. Premachandran warned that the amendment uses the definition “mineral-bearing land” to allow the Centre to encroach into areas under state control, without even excluding coastal and forest regions. He alleged that the hidden objective is to hand over mining sectors, including mineral sand mining, to private interests and to permit private agencies to carry out mining in coastal and forest areas. Ignoring the environmental damage such activities may cause, the proposed amendment, he said, fails to take into account the seashore, forests, habitats, and the ecosystem. He described it as extremely serious, contrary to state interests and federal principles, and likely to create grave ecological harm.Premachandran added that the proposed changes would make life even harder for people who depend on the sea and forests for their livelihood. The Centre is attempting to bring land — listed as Entry 18 in the State List — within its own sphere of authority, thereby taking over powers and rights that belong to the states.“Until now, states have had the authority to grant mining leases and to determine royalties and other fees related to them. By invoking its legislative powers under Entry 54 of List I in the Union List, the Centre is effectively stripping states of their lawmaking powers under Entries 23 and 50 of List II in the State List. Since land falls entirely under Entry 18 of the State List, legislative authority over it lies fully within the jurisdiction of the states,” Premachandran said in the letter. He further noted that forests are included as Entry 17A in the Concurrent List. He pointed out that a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court has already ruled that the Centre does not have the legislative authority to completely abolish the states’ powers, including their lawmaking powers long exercised within the federal framework.Without consulting the states, the Union govt has introduced an amendment with serious consequences, he said.
