RANCHI, Sept. 20 -- Emphasising that the country could become developed only when states were empowered, Jharkhand finance minister Radhakrishna Kishore on Saturday reiterated the Jharkhand government's demand to restore the authority to levy cess on mining, which was removed through an amendment in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act during the last monsoon session of Parliament.

The amendment is expected to cause an annual revenue loss of around Rs.14,000 crore to the state in this financial year. Putting forth the state's views on the second day of the two-day conference "Financing the Journey to a Developed India" in New Delhi, Kishore put three key demands before the Centre: restoring the authority to l...