Ranchi, Aug. 13 -- Jharkhand Congress today opposed the proposed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, arguing that it would weaken the financial powers of mineral-rich states and adversely affect Jharkhand's revenue interests.
Jharkhand Congress president Keshav Mahto Kamlesh and minister Dipika Pandey Singh said the proposed changes could restrict the state's power to impose cess or other levies on mineral-bearing land and alleged that the Centre was seeking to concentrate greater powers over mineral resources.
Kamlesh said mineral resources should primarily benefit the states and people from whose land they are extracted. He alleged that the proposed changes would facilitate greater participation of large corp...