BJD seeks President’s intervention for reversal of 2026 amendment to Mines and Minerals Act
BJD says Odisha could lose over ₹1 lakh crore towards arrears, apart from additional annual revenue of approximately ₹12,000 crore under the Mines and Minerals Amendment Act, 2026
On September 9, 2026, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) organized a large-scale demonstration in Odisha, urging the President to intervene and reverse the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act of 2026. The party's leaders marched to the Governor's residence, Lok Bhavan, presenting a detailed memorandum directed to President Droupadi Murmu through the Governor.
The BJD leaders highlighted that Odisha is one of the most mineral-rich states in the country, contributing significantly to India's industrial and economic growth through its reserves of iron ore, coal, bauxite, chromite, and other minerals. They emphasized that the state's natural wealth and revenue generation are deeply tied to its mineral resources.
The amendment, according to the BJD, would substantially curtail Odisha's rights and financial interests in relation to mines and mineral-bearing lands, potentially leading to a loss of over ₹1 lakh crore in revenue and an annual additional income of around ₹12,000 crore. The memorandum cited the Supreme Court's July 24, 2024 judgment, recognizing the State's authority to impose taxes and levies on mines and mineral-bearing lands.
The BJD expressed deep concern over the amendment's impact on Odisha's fiscal autonomy and the constitutional balance between the Union and the States, calling for careful examination of the amendment's constitutional implications.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
