Bokaro: JMM has begun preparations for a sustained campaign against the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, describing it as a “black law” that undermines Jharkhand’s interests.Ministers, MLAs and senior functionaries on Sunday alleged that the legislation could hurt the state’s mineral revenue, development projects and welfare schemes.Drinking water and sanitation and excise minister Yogendra Prasad on Sunday accused the Centre of pushing through the bill with “wrong intentions”. “Jharkhand accounts for 40% of the country’s mineral resources. The bill could stall our development and disrupt welfare activities. We will not tolerate it,” Prasad said.Tourism, arts, culture, sports and youth affairs minister Sudivya Kumar alleged that the Centre had “cut off Jharkhand’s hands and legs” through the amendment. Calling it an injustice to the state, he claimed any reduction in mineral revenue could affect schemes such as Maiya Samman, Abua Awas and universal pension, besides education and healthcare programmes.“Jharkhand will not tolerate this stepmotherly treatment,” Kumar said.JMM’s Bokaro city president Mantu Yadav said the party would launch an “all-out fight” against the legislation. He warned that JMM could consider an economic blockade if the Centre did not withdraw the bill.Party functionaries said the first phase of the agitation would comprise a mass awareness campaign, with workers reaching out to people at the block and panchayat levels. Senior members and hundreds of workers attended preparatory meetings in Bokaro and Giridih.
