Bhubaneswar: Last Friday, the Jharkhand Assembly passed a bill related to mining. In which the Jharkhand government has passed a proposal to impose interest on mining to increase revenue. However, on July 25, the Supreme Court made a big announcement about mining. In which it was stated that the state government is empowered to impose taxes on mining. After which the Jharkhand government has taken steps
Jharkhand Mineral Resources Minister Mithilesh Thakur proposed ‘Jharkhand Mines Land Use Bill 2024’ which was approved by voice vote. In this bill, different proposals have been made for different minerals on per metric ton basis. 100 rupees for coal and iron ore, 70 rupees for bauxite and 50 rupees for manganese and other minerals.
AJSU MLA and CPI(ML) MLA Binod Kumar Singh have proposed to check it by the determination committee. In addition to this, the said miner asked to pay the tax as compensation to the local people and proposed to collect the tax on the market value instead of on the weight.
Regarding which the Minister of Mines gave an assurance that it has been placed in the assembly only after proper inspection by the appointed committee and Chief Minister Hemant Shoren said on the amendment proposal, something changes with time. Therefore, the state government has the power to change the budget after the ball is passed.
What did the Supreme Court say about mining?
On the last 25th, the Supreme Court said that mining is not a royalty tax. The state government has the power to levy taxes on mineral lands. Then the royalty paid to the Center cannot be called a tax. Rather, it is a contractual payment, said the Supreme Court. Which was heard by 8:1 vote. 8 out of 9 members of the jury led by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court D. Y. Chandrachud supported it while one judge had a different opinion about it. In which Jharkhand, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and the states full of mineral wealth can take advantage.
Odisha will implement?..
After the Jharkhand government passes some such bill in the assembly, will Odisha follow it? Its implementation in Odisha, which is rich in mineral deposits, will have a big impact on the state’s revenue. Which will help in increasing the revenue. After Jharkhand, will it be applied in Odisha, which is rich in minerals? It remains to be seen whether the new BJP government that has come to power alone in the state will follow through on the move to levy interest on mining land.
