1 week ago
BJD Escalates Odisha Mining Revenue Fight Against BJP
The Biju Janata Dal, or BJD, is criticizing the Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, over a new mining law.
The BJD says the law could reduce the money Odisha receives from its minerals.
It referred to a Supreme Court decision saying states can collect taxes and fees from mining.
The party says Odisha could recover about Rs 1.5 lakh crore in old mining payments.
It also says the state could receive another Rs 12,000 crore every year.
BJD leaders blamed BJP lawmakers from Odisha for supporting the amendment.
They also questioned Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s response.
The BJD says it will organize protests across Odisha.
The BJD accused the BJP-led Central government of taking away Odisha’s mineral revenue rights through the amended MMDR Act.
The party cited a July 2024 Supreme Court ruling affirming states’ rights to impose levies and taxes on minerals.
BJD leaders said Odisha could recover about Rs 1.5 lakh crore in past mining arrears and collect Rs 12,000 crore annually.
The BJD criticized Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and BJP MPs for supporting the amendment.
The party announced mass agitations and statewide protests to defend Odisha’s interests.
- Who
- The Opposition Biju Janata Dal, including Pritiranjan Gharai and Byomakesh Ray, criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party and Odisha’s BJP government.
- What
- The BJD escalated its opposition to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act and threatened statewide protests.
- Where
- The press conference was held at Sankha Bhawan in Bhubaneswar; proposed protests would take place across Odisha.
- When
- The announcement was made on Sunday, with protests expected in the coming days.
- Why
- The BJD says the amendment removes Odisha’s mining revenue rights and benefits private mine owners and industrialists.
Key facts
- Issue
- The BJD’s opposition to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act.
- Potential past arrears
- About Rs 1.5 lakh crore, according to the BJD’s estimate based on the Supreme Court ruling.
- Potential annual revenue
- About Rs 12,000 crore in additional mining revenue for Odisha, according to the BJD.
- Supreme Court ruling
- A nine-judge Constitution Bench held in July 2024 that states have rights over mines and mineral-bearing lands and can impose mineral levies and taxes.
- Recovery date
- The Supreme Court permitted states to recover outstanding mining taxes from April 1, 2005.
- Political response
- The BJD criticized BJP MPs from Odisha and questioned Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s silence.
- Planned action
- The BJD announced mass agitations and protests across Odisha.
Quotes
Pritiranjan Gharai
BJD senior general secretary and former Odisha minister
“The BJD has challenged the BJP to come for an open debate if it has the courage, instead of making statements that mislead the people of Odisha.”
thehansindia.com
“It now appears that he (Mohan Charan Majhi) was made the Chief Minister only to facilitate the looting of Odisha's mineral resources.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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