1 day ago
Odisha Opposition Demands Repeal of MMDR Amendment Act
The Odisha Assembly became very noisy on Thursday.
Members of the BJD and Congress were protesting a new mining law.
They want the law to be repealed.
They say it takes away Odisha’s rights over land containing minerals.
They also say it is harmful to Odisha and tribal communities.
Some lawmakers stood in the Assembly well and shouted slogans.
The Deputy Speaker allowed three questions to be answered before ending the session until 4 pm.
BJD members then protested outside the Odisha Mining Corporation office, and Congress said it might call a statewide shutdown.
The Odisha Assembly was adjourned until 4 pm after BJD and Congress members protested the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026.
Opposition lawmakers entered the well, raised slogans and displayed banners during Question Hour.
The BJD and Congress called the mining law “anti-Odisha” and “anti-tribal.”
They alleged that the legislation weakened the federal system and took state rights over mineral-bearing land.
BJD legislators later held a dharna outside the Odisha Mining Corporation headquarters, while Congress announced plans for an Odisha bandh.
- Who
- Biju Janata Dal and Congress lawmakers in the Odisha Assembly, with statements from Goutam Buddha Das and Rama Chandra Kadam.
- What
- The Opposition demanded repeal of the Mines and Mineral (Development & Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, disrupting Assembly proceedings.
- Where
- The Odisha Assembly in Bhubaneswar and the Odisha Mining Corporation headquarters.
- When
- Thursday; the Act was passed in Parliament the previous month.
- Why
- The Opposition says the law is “anti-Odisha” and “anti-tribal,” harms federalism, and takes state rights over mineral-bearing land.
Opposition Position
Government and Assembly Position
Impact of the mining law
Opposition Position
BJD and Congress describe the amendment as anti-Odisha and anti-tribal, and say it takes away Odisha’s rights over mineral-bearing land.
Government and Assembly Position
The law was passed by Parliament last month. The report does not include a response from the government to the Opposition’s repeal demand.
Assembly proceedings
Opposition Position
Opposition lawmakers said the issue required immediate attention and protested by entering the well, raising slogans and displaying banners.
Government and Assembly Position
Deputy Speaker Bhabani Shankar Bhoi allowed three questions to be answered during the disruption before adjourning the House until 4 pm.
Next steps
Opposition Position
BJD held a dharna outside the Odisha Mining Corporation headquarters, while Congress said it planned an Odisha bandh.
Government and Assembly Position
The Assembly proceedings were adjourned, and no further government action on the Opposition’s demands was reported.
Key facts
- Legislation
- Mines and Mineral (Development & Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026
- Assembly action
- Proceedings were adjourned until 4 pm
- Protesting parties
- BJD and Congress
- Main demand
- Immediate repeal or withdrawal of the amendment law
- Assembly disruption
- Members entered the well, raised slogans and displayed banners
- Additional protest
- BJD members held a dharna outside the Odisha Mining Corporation headquarters
- Planned action
- Congress said it planned to call an Odisha bandh
Quotes
Goutam Buddha Das
BJD member and spokesperson to reporters
“We came to the OMC office here as it has no more relevance after the passage of the MMDR Amendment Bill- 2026. The Centre has snatched the State’s rights over the mineral-bearing land of Odisha through this legislation. BJD will not tolerate this injustice”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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