Congress-ruled Karnataka, Kerala and Telangana are likely to challenge in the Supreme Court the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, passed by Parliament last week, alleging that it undermines the rights of states, sources said on Thursday, 20 August.
The Congress is also in talks with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) to get the Jharkhand government on board the proposed petition, they said.
Congress sources said the amendments to the Act could soon be challenged in the top court by the three states ruled by the party.
Parliament last Thursday passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to restrict statesโ powers to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands.
The Lok Sabha passed the Bill last Wednesday, while the Rajya Sabha cleared it the following day, completing the parliamentary approval process. The Bill subsequently became law after receiving the Presidentโs assent.
Replying to the debate in the Rajya Sabha, mines minister G. Kishan Reddy had said the legislation did not seek to interfere with the autonomy or revenue rights of states, but aimed to ensure uniform mineral rates across the country.
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