Bhubaneswar, August 14: Opposition leader and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has written to Chief Minister Mohan Chandra Majhi, urging the state government to oppose the recently passed ‘Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026’ in Parliament.
Patnaik expressed concerns that this law could undermine Odisha’s financial autonomy and its constitutional rights over mineral resources. He noted that BJD MPs had strongly opposed the bill in the Rajya Sabha, particularly regarding provisions that could affect the state’s revenue-raising powers.
He highlighted the increasing central control over mineral-rich lands and restrictions on the state’s ability to impose taxes, cesses, and other charges on minerals without prior approval from the center.
Patnaik emphasized that Odisha’s mineral revenue is crucial for healthcare, education, welfare programs, and infrastructure development. He argued that any reduction in the state’s financial powers would adversely impact its development priorities and weaken the principles of fiscal federalism.
The opposition leader urged Chief Minister Majhi to convene an all-party meeting to build consensus on protecting Odisha’s constitutional and financial rights. He also called for a special session of the Odisha Assembly to pass a unanimous resolution opposing the amendment.
Patnaik warned that if Odisha’s rights over mineral-rich land are diminished, the state would face environmental and social burdens from mining, such as pollution and displacement, while a significant portion of the profits would benefit others.
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