‘Mining Bill a blow to Odisha’s fiscal autonomy’: BJD chief asks Majhi to convene all-party meet

Biju Janata Dal chief Naveen Patnaik has called for a special session of the Odisha Assembly to protest against the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The Opposition leader claims that the Bill undermines the State's fiscal autonomy and is a threat to its constitutional rights over its resources.

In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Mr. Patnaik highlighted how the provisions of the Bill would disproportionately harm mineral-rich States like Odisha, leading to significant revenue losses and hindering the State's developmental plans. The former Chief Minister expressed concern over an amendment that grants the Centre sole authority over framing rules for mining and restricts States' power to levy taxes on minerals extracted from their lands. Patnaik urged Mr. Majhi to convene an all-party meeting to address the issue.