Patnaik blames Odisha BJP MPs for mines law passage in Parliament, warns of revenue loss for the State
The Monsoon Session of the Odisha Assembly has been facing disruptions for four days now, as the opposition BJD and Congress MLAs, sporting black scarves, raised slogans in the House on Friday, demanding repeal of the law. The proceedings had to be adjourned till 4 p.m.
On September 25, 2026, BJD chief Naveen Patnaik accused Odisha BJP MPs of supporting the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act in Parliament. He cautioned the Chief Minister against implementing the legislation, which he claims infringes on the state's constitutional rights and could harm its revenue. Patnaik announced a large rally outside the Assembly on September 28 to protest the MMDR Act.
The Odisha Assembly's Monsoon Session has experienced disruptions over four days due to opposition BJD and Congress MLAs protesting the law. Patnaik emphasized that 20 Odisha BJP MPs backed the bill in Parliament, urging the state government to halt its implementation and examine the issue. The amended law transfers control over mineral-bearing lands to the Centre, potentially leading to significant revenue loss for Odisha.
Patnaik had previously written to BJP MPs, appealing for a reversal of the amendments, as they would eliminate the state's tax and mineral-bearing land powers. Odisha's MPs, including former Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan, argued that the new law would benefit all states, including Odisha, by boosting economic activities and generating substantial revenue.
However, the state lost the opportunity for ₹1 lakh crore in revenue and ₹12,000 crore annually due to the MMDR Act's implementation.
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