Bhubaneswar: Naveen Patnaik, serving as Leader of Opposition and president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), expressed strong disapproval of the recent amendments made to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act), which were approved by Parliament. He called on the people of Odisha to unite in order to protect the rights of the state.
In a video address, Patnaik emphasized the crucial contribution of mining tax revenue to Odisha’s development over the past 24 years under the BJD government.
Patnaik noted that when the BJD assumed power in 2000, Odisha’s economy was struggling, forcing the government to rely on overdrafts.
He stated that by 2024, his government had achieved a revenue surplus of Rs 50,000 crore, crediting this success to effective fiscal management that led to rapid growth, poverty alleviation, infrastructure advancements, and various welfare programs.
“Mining tax played a major role in this rapid development. But today, Odisha’s economy is in danger. As you know, recently, an amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act was passed in Parliament. This is going to cause significant harm to Odisha and its people,”
he claimed.
Patnaik pointed out that the amendment was passed by the central government without adequate discussion, with only BJD MPs opposing it in the Rajya Sabha. He reiterated his request for an all-party meeting and a special session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly to address the matter, referencing his letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
“No one is bigger than the interests of Odisha and its people. Today, we have to come together in the interests of our soil and our state,”
he asserted.
He argued that the MMDR Amendment Bill has stripped the state of its rights over its mineral wealth, highlighting that Odisha holds the largest reserves of chromite, bauxite, iron ore, coal, and manganese in India.
“But the MMDR Amendment Bill has taken away our rights over these resources. Why should we not be able to collect taxes from our own mines for the welfare of our people? Our people will bear the dust and pollution, while the Delhi establishment will prosper from our resources. We will not allow this to happen,”
the BJD leader stated.
Additionally, Patnaik criticized the 20 BJP MPs from Odisha for not speaking out against the amendment. He warned that the revised Bill would drastically diminish the state’s tax revenue, leading to a loss of thousands of crores annually, which could have been allocated to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and support for farmers and the underprivileged.
He questioned if Odisha could sustain such a significant loss and cautioned that the populace would not accept any attempts to undermine the state. Patnaik also expressed concerns about the long-term impact of the amendment on future generations.
“This land is ours. These mines are ours. I will fight to protect our rights. Till my last breath, my fight for the rights of Odisha and its people will continue. I appeal to the people of Odisha to join this fight,”
he concluded.
It is important to note that the Congress and other opposition parties in Odisha have also vowed to escalate protests demanding the repeal of the recent MMDR Act amendment.
