Kerala MP demands withdrawal of Mining Law Amendment - The HinduUpdated - August 11, 2026 07:33 pm IST - KOLLAMN.K. Premachandran, MP, has formally urged the Chief Minister and the Minister for Forests Shibu Baby John to take proactive measures to safeguard State interests against the proposed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2026, terming it a calculated move to hand over mineral sand mining to the private sector.He alleged that the legislation is a direct assault on the nation’s federal structure, as it empowers the central government to take complete control over any mineral-bearing land, regardless of whether it is coastal or forest territory. “By usurping the State’s authority to make decisions on mining leases, the amendment poses a severe threat to the constitutional rights of the States,” he said.Pointing out the constitutional overreach, the MP observed that land falls strictly under the State List, while forests are part of the Concurrent List. He accused the Centre of misusing its legislative powers to override the State’s authority to regulate mining, fix royalties, and manage land rights.Furthermore, he noted that the central government has blatantly ignored a recent nine-judge Supreme Court bench ruling that safeguards the legislative powers of the States. “By broadly categorizing territories under a new definition of “Mineral Bearing Land,” the Centre is bypassing State consultations, stripping away State powers, and undermining the basic values of Indian democracy,” he said.The MP also expressed deep concern over the severe environmental and national security implications of the bill. He warned that regions like Chavara in Kerala, which are rich in rare earth minerals, will be directly affected as the State government loses its authority to grant or regulate mining leases.“The amendment paves the way for private monopolies to exploit atomic and rare minerals with a purely profit-driven motive, ignoring the devastating ecological impact on sensitive coastal and forest ecosystems. This move severely compromises the livelihoods and safety of communities whose survival depends entirely on the sea and the forests,” he said.Published - August 11, 2026 07:32 pm ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }