State Revenue from Minerals Should Fund Local Development, Says Sudesh Mahato

Mahato highlighted that after a Supreme Court order, states were granted the right to impose a cess on mineral resources, a right that appears to be diluted by the recent amendments to the MMDNR Bill.

He called for the cess collected in Jharkhand to be directed toward projects that directly benefit mining‑affected populations – including clean drinking water, road connectivity, scholarships and resettlement programs for displaced families.

According to Mahato, the people most impacted by mining should be the primary beneficiaries of any additional revenue generated, ensuring equitable growth and reducing social friction in mineral‑rich regions.