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Naveen Patnaik Accuses BJP of Protecting Mine Owners
Naveen Patnaik, who leads the BJD, criticized the BJP government in Odisha over a change to mining rules.
He said the new law would reduce Odisha’s control over land with minerals and its ability to collect a tax from mine owners.
Patnaik claimed the change could cost Odisha about Rs 1 lakh crore.
He also criticized the State government over public services and welfare.
He made these comments while starting a month-long march to villages across Odisha.
The BJP’s Anil Biswal disagreed with him.
Biswal said BJD members had disrupted Assembly proceedings and alleged that mine owners provided most of the party’s political donations.
These statements present competing claims by the two parties.
Naveen Patnaik accused Odisha’s BJP government of protecting mine owners over people’s rights.
He said the amended mining law would take away Odisha’s authority over mineral-bearing land and its power to levy cess.
Patnaik alleged Odisha could lose around Rs 1 lakh crore if the law is implemented in the State.
He launched the BJD’s month-long Jan Sampark Pada Yatra on Gandhi Jayanti to take the party’s message to villages.
BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal rejected Patnaik’s criticism, accused BJD MLAs of blocking Assembly discussion, and alleged mine owners supplied 88% of BJD political donations.
- Who
- BJD president Naveen Patnaik criticized the BJP government in Odisha; BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal responded.
- What
- Patnaik alleged that an amended mining law undermines Odisha’s rights and finances, while Biswal rejected his criticism and made allegations about the BJD.
- Where
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- When
- Friday, on Gandhi Jayanti; the article does not specify the date.
- Why
- Patnaik said the amended law would take away State authority over mineral-bearing land and the power to levy cess on mine owners.
BJD and Naveen Patnaik
BJP and Anil Biswal
Impact of the amended mining law
BJD and Naveen Patnaik
Patnaik said the law strips Odisha of rights over mineral-bearing land and the authority to levy cess, and alleged the State could lose around Rs 1 lakh crore.
BJP and Anil Biswal
Biswal rejected Patnaik’s allegations, though the article does not report a specific BJP explanation of the law’s effects.
BJD’s role in mining debates
BJD and Naveen Patnaik
Patnaik accused the BJP government of protecting mine owners instead of defending people’s rights.
BJP and Anil Biswal
Biswal said BJD MLAs disrupted the Assembly and did not allow discussion of the mining sector; he also alleged mine owners were the party’s biggest beneficiaries.
Key facts
- Party event
- BJD’s annual Jan Sampark Pada Yatra began on Gandhi Jayanti.
- Planned duration
- The foot marches are planned across Odisha for a month.
- Potential financial impact
- Patnaik alleged Odisha could lose around Rs 1 lakh crore if the mining law is implemented in the State.
- Legislation
- Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Act.
- Patnaik’s criticism
- He alleged the law removes Odisha’s rights over mineral-bearing land and authority to levy cess on mine owners.
- BJP response
- Anil Biswal accused BJD MLAs of disrupting the Assembly and alleged that 88% of BJD political donations came from mine owners.
Quotes
Naveen Patnaik
BJD president and Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Assembly
“The 20 BJP MPs from Odisha remained silent when the Bill was passed in Parliament. On the other hand, they are ready to fight for the benefit of mine owners. Though the Central government stripped the people of Odisha of their rights over mineral resources, the State remains silent.”
thehansindia.com
“Children lack textbooks, the elderly are denied social security pensions, and both farmers and women are facing immense hardship; furthermore, law and order has completely collapsed. This government has failed on every front.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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