The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 10, 2026.  The Bill seeks to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.  The Act regulates the mining sector.

Regulation of mineral bearing lands:  The Act empowers the central government to control regulation of mines and development of minerals.  The Bill also empowers the central government to control the regulation of mineral bearing lands.  Mineral bearing land is defined as any land having mineral contents in accordance with parameters prescribed by the central government under Rules.

Restriction on levies by states:  The Bill prohibits a state government from imposing specified levies, except in accordance with conditions or restrictions prescribed by the central government.  This applies to any tax, cess, or other such levy on: (i) mineral rights, or (ii) mineral bearing lands, whether based on mineral quantity, mineral value, royalty or otherwise.  Unpaid or unrecovered dues of any such state levies from before the commencement of the Amendment Act, will be deemed invalid.  However, any such levies already deposited or recovered will not be liable to be refunded.