MMDR Amendment Act Issue
- Double Engine Government Taking Away the Rights of the People of Odisha
- Why Does the BJP Government Have So Much Affection for Mine Owners?
Bhubaneswar, 26/08/2026:The BJP, which came to power invoking the cause of OdiaAsmita, is now engaged in looting Odisha. Through the MMDR Amendment Act, the Central Government has taken away the rights of the people of Odisha. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) strongly criticised the Double Engine Government for ignoring the interests of the people of Odisha and working like an agent of mine owners.
At a press conference organised at Sankha Bhawan today, former Minister and Vice President of the party, Shri AtanuSabyasachiNayak, and Spokesperson and Media Coordinator, Dr. Lenin Mohanty, strongly criticised the Double-Engine Government.
Shri Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said that the Double Engine Government has cast its greedy eye on the mineral resources of mineral-rich Odisha. Through the MMDR Amendment Act, the Central Government has taken the State’s mines under its control. Because of this Act, Odisha will lose annual revenue of ₹12,000 crore and will also lose more than ₹1 lakh crore in outstanding taxes. It is extremely unfortunate that despite knowing that this Act will cause losses to Odisha, the BJP’s 20 LokSabha and 5 RajyaSabha MPs supported it. Forgetting the interests of the people of Odisha for the sake of party interests, the State Government did not raise its voice. Former Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik has earlier fought several legal battles for the rights of Odisha. But the BJP Government does not have the courage to do so.
During the BJD Government, notices were issued to mine owners between 2021 and 2023 for outstanding taxes amounting to ₹22,000 crore, and ₹16,000 crorewas recovered. However, instead of doing so now, the BJP Government is merely complying with the directions of the Central Government. The neighbouring Jharkhand Government has recovered ₹42,000 crore in outstanding mining taxes. Why does the BJP Government have so much affection for mine owners? If the Double-Engine Government does not repeal this black law, the BJD’s struggle against it will continue.
Dr. Lenin Mohanty said that the Double-Engine Government is repeatedly looting the mineral resources of mineral-rich Odisha. The BJP’s 20 LokSabha and 5 RajyaSabha MPs did not raise their voices when this Bill was passed. While the BJP Government comes forward whenever there is an opportunity to take credit, it has remained silent on this black law. Due to the visionary leadership of former Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik, Odisha’s economy has become strong, but the BJP is now working to destroy it. Despite knowing that this black law will cause such a huge loss to the State, the Chief Minister has remained silent. Is this the identity of OdiaAsmita?
In July 2024, a nine judge Constitution Bench of the Hon’ble Supreme Court examined the matter and expressed the view that States have rights over mines and mineral-bearing lands. States can levy and collect levies and taxes on minerals. However, through the MMDR Amendment Act, the Central Government has taken away the rights of the States. The Central Government got the Bill passed in Parliament without consultation. Revenue generated from the mining sector plays a major role in the development of the State. However, through the MMDR Amendment Act, the Central Government is attempting to appropriate Odisha’s legitimate share.The Double Engine Government has become an enemy of Odisha. The BJD’s struggle against the Double Engine Government, which is sacrificing the interests of the people of Odisha and acting in a manner that benefits mine owners, will intensify further in the days ahead.
