Deoghar, Aug. 18 -- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Sunday criticised the Jharkhand government over the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, saying the legislation is aimed at protecting the people of the state, providing employment and preventing migration.

Speaking with ANI, Dubey said the legislation was based on an Act dating back to 1956-57 and referred to the distinction between major and minor minerals under the existing framework.

"We didn't make this law, did we? This Act is from 1956-1957; it was made by PM Nehru. It states that major minerals will be separate and minor minerals will be separate. The authority over major minerals will belong to the Government of India," he sa...