MMDR Act

Centre to review 2019 National Mineral Policy amid focus on critical minerals, recycling and deep-sea resources

The government is considering overhauling the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, into a comprehensive new mining law, a move aimed to incorporate ease of living and ease of doing business reforms, sources said. The mines ministry administers the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) The Act has been amended from time-to-time to keep pace with the evolving requirements of the mining and minerals sector, sources said. In recent years, the Centre has made efforts to review the nation's regulatory landscape to incorporate ease of living and ease of doing business reforms across all sectors. Considering that the mining and mineral sector is important for the economy, future technological progress, fulfilling the strategic needs of the country, and achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, the MMDR Act, 1957, is proposed to be overhauled into a comprehensive and streamlined new mining law, sources said. An inter-ministerial pan

Audit says 1.18 crore tonnes of coal produced beyond EC limits and without valid clearances

BJD chief says amended mining law will erode Odisha's taxation powers over mineral rights; party plans district campaign and economic blockade if law is not withdrawn

New mining penalty rules may weaken enforcement by capping civil penalties and allowing violations to be settled without inquiry, experts and industry stakeholders said

Coal India paid over Rs 32,000 crore in state statutory levies in FY26, with Sairam calling for a stable and predictable taxation framework

Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana plan to move the Supreme Court within 10 days, while Congress also seeks to bring Jharkhand on board for the legal challenge

V D Satheesan said proposed restrictions on taxes and levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands could weaken states' constitutional and fiscal autonomy

The Congress alleges the MMDR Amendment Bill threatens Odisha's fiscal autonomy and mineral rights, and has sought an all-party meeting and a special Assembly session

Industry and state-level estimates suggest Odisha could lose around Rs 12,000 crore in annual mineral-related revenue and over Rs 1 trillion in outstanding dues

Mines Ministry says states will continue to receive around 90 per cent of mining-related taxes and statutory payments, amid concerns over the amendment's fiscal impact

Naveen Patnaik has sought an all-party meeting and a special Assembly session, warning that the MMDR amendment could weaken Odisha's fiscal autonomy and mineral revenues

The Bill's restrictions on taxing mineral rights and mineral-bearing land have revived questions over Parliament's powers and could open the door to legal challenges by states

Hemant Soren says proposed restrictions on states' mineral taxation powers raise constitutional and federal concerns and could hit Jharkhand's mining revenues

Today's pieces examine mining reforms and fiscal federalism, India's need for a caregiving policy, stronger bank boards, urban governance and lessons in crisis leadership

Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said the MMDR Bill applies only to major minerals and does not affect states' powers over minor minerals, as Kerala warned of legal action.

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Thursday said the amendment to the MMDR Act passed by the Lok Sabha is against federal principles as it seeks to take away the rights and ownership of the states over their lands, and therefore, the legislation will be strongly opposed. Satheesan, addressing a press conference here after a cabinet meeting, said that the state government's opposition to the legislation will be communicated to the central government. The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The CM said that the legislation seriously affects Kerala. He claimed that by way of the amendment, the states' rights and ownership over land -- which is item 18 in the state list of the 7th schedule under the Constitution -- is sought to be brought under the control of the central government. He said that without exempting coastal areas and forests, through a provision of 'mineral bearing land' in the amendment bill, the Ce

NMDC says proposed restrictions on state-level mineral levies could provide greater fiscal certainty, reduce unexpected legacy claims and support long-term investment

The Bill seeks to restrict states' powers to impose taxes and cesses on mineral rights and could provide relief from retrospective liabilities arising from a 2024 SC ruling

The MMDR Amendment Bill, 2026 seeks greater government control over mineral-bearing land and tighter rules for state taxes, cesses and other mining-related levies