Jharkhand minister says new mines law fuels coal theft, blames opposition parties

Union Minister Annpurna Devi has charged the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) with attempting to mislead citizens about a pending amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, The Hindu reported. She argues that the legislation, far from protecting the environment, is being twisted to facilitate illegal coal extraction and that the opposition’s narrative distracts from the law’s potential to generate local employment.

The proposed amendment would relax certain licensing requirements for coal mines, a move the central government says is intended to streamline approvals and reduce bureaucratic delays. Devi contended that the changes would instead open loopholes for “coal theft,” a persistent problem in Jharkhand where illegal mining syndicates have long siphoned off resources from state‑owned seams.

In a televised interview, the minister warned that the opposition parties were “confusing the public” by portraying the amendment as a threat to workers, while she maintains that the law could actually increase job prospects for young people who currently migrate to other states for work. “If implemented correctly, the Act will give our youth a reason to stay and work in Jharkhand,” she said.

Jharkhand, rich in coal reserves, has struggled with illegal mining for decades. Estimates suggest that illicit extraction accounts for a significant share of the state’s coal output, depriving the government of revenue and causing environmental damage. Previous attempts to tighten monitoring have been hampered by weak enforcement and collusion between local officials and mining mafias. The central government’s push for a more permissive framework is seen by some analysts as a pragmatic response to these entrenched challenges, aiming to bring illegal operations under official oversight.

The political backdrop is equally complex. The JMM‑Congress‑RJD coalition, which governs the state, has faced criticism over its handling of mining leases and revenue sharing. Critics argue that any amendment that eases licensing could benefit politically connected business interests. Meanwhile, the central government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, has been promoting a broader agenda of “resource security” to meet rising energy demands.

The debate is expected to intensify in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, where the amendment will be tabled for discussion. Observers note that the outcome could set a precedent for other mineral‑rich states grappling with the twin pressures of economic development and illegal extraction.

Background: India’s Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, originally enacted in 1957, governs the extraction of mineral resources. Over the years, the law has undergone several amendments to address issues such as environmental safeguards, revenue sharing, and community rights. In recent years, the central government has sought to modernize the framework to attract investment and curb illegal mining, but the reforms have often sparked resistance from state governments concerned about loss of control over local resources.