Indian states Kerala and Karnataka oppose mining law amendments

Leaders in the Indian states of Kerala and Karnataka have formally requested that the central government reconsider the proposed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Both states expressed concerns that the legislation could undermine the constitutional and fiscal autonomy of state governments.

Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, warning that proposed changes—specifically Section 9D—would allow the Centre to dictate criteria for levying taxes, cesses, and charges on mineral-bearing lands. He argued this could diminish state revenue and impact local self-government institutions. Satheesan cited a 2024 Supreme Court judgment to distinguish between royalties and taxes, asserting that states maintain the power to tax mineral rights.

Similarly, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara urged the Union Government to reconsider the Bill, describing the Centre’s approach as “unilateral.” He noted that the amendments could infringe upon legislative fields already exercised by state legislatures under the constitutional framework. Parameshwara called for a structured, time-bound consultation mechanism between the Centre and states to evaluate the economic, environmental, and fiscal implications of the proposed changes.