“On the MMDR Amendment Act Issue: BJP Not Working to Protect the Interests of Odisha” : BJD

• Taking Away States’ Rights Over Mines and Mineral-Bearing Land is an Attack on the Federal Structure
• AG’s Affidavit Had Stated That Odisha Would Suffer Huge Loss if
  ₹1 Lakh Crore in Arrears Was Not Received
• Odisha Review Also Stated That ₹1 Lakh Crore in Arrears and ₹12,000 Crore Annual Revenue Are Odisha’s Just Entitlement
• BJP’s Argument That Odisha Will Not Suffer Any Loss Is a Blatant Lie

Bhubaneswar, 01/09/2026:On the issue of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, the BijuJanata Dal today once again strongly criticised the BJP, stating that the Act is against the interests of Odisha. While the Act goes against the interests of Odisha, BJP MPs supported it, which clearly proves that the BJP is not working to protect the interests of Odisha, said the BJD.

Addressing a press conference organised at SankhaBhawan today, the party’s RajyaSabha MP Dr. SantruptMisra said that through the MMDR Act, the Central Government has permanently taken away the rights of the State Governments over mines and mineral-bearing land. He said that in the judgment delivered by the nine-judge Bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court on 25 July 2026, it was held that States can impose taxes and levies on mines and mineral-bearing land. Apart from this, the judgment also stated that taxes and levies pending since 2005 could be recovered. According to this judgment, Odisha had become entitled to receive more than ₹1 lakh crore towards arrears, and the way had been cleared for the State to receive an additional ₹12,000 crore annually as revenue. After the MMDR Amendment Act was enacted, the rights of the State Government over mines and mineral-bearing land were permanently taken away. Along with this, Odisha has permanently lost the ₹1 lakh crore that it was entitled to receive towards arrears and the additional annual revenue.

Dr. Misra said that BJD President Shri Naveen Patnaik had written to BJP MPs asking them to raise their voice against this Act, which goes against the interests of Odisha. BJP leaders are arguing that Odisha will not suffer any loss because of this Act. However, the Odisha Review, published in November 2025, had stated that Odisha was going to receive ₹1 lakh crore towards mining arrears and an additional ₹12,000 crore annually as revenue, which would strengthen the financial position of the State. Moreover, on behalf of the Government of Odisha, Odisha’s Advocate General Pitambar Acharya, through an affidavit submitted before the Supreme Court, had stated that the ₹1 lakh crore in arrears was Odisha’s legitimate entitlement and that Odisha would suffer substantial loss if it did not receive the amount.

Dr. Misra further said that both the Odisha Review and the affidavit of the Advocate General had stated that the amount due to Odisha towards mining taxes and arrears was important for the progress of the State, while BJP leaders are now arguing that Odisha will not suffer any loss. Naturally, the question arises as to whether the facts presented in the Odisha Review and the affidavit of the Advocate General were incorrect, or whether BJP leaders are lying in order to defend their own position.Taking away the rights of the States over mines and mineral-bearing land permanently is an attack on the federal structure of the country.