1 week ago
BJD Challenges BJP Debate Over MMDR Amendment Bill
The BJD is unhappy with a new law about mines and minerals.
It says the law could reduce the money Odisha receives from mining.
BJD leaders argue that states should be able to collect taxes from their own mineral resources.
They referred to a Supreme Court decision from July 2024 supporting states’ rights over mines and minerals.
The BJD says Odisha might have collected Rs 1.5 lakh crore in past taxes.
It also says the state could have received Rs 12,000 crore more each year.
Dharmendra Pradhan rejected the claim that Odisha would lose money.
The BJD wants the BJP to hold an open debate and says it will continue opposing the law.
The BJD accused the BJP government of harming Odisha and other mineral-rich states through the MMDR Amendment Bill.
BJD leaders said the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha without discussion and challenged the BJP to an open debate.
The BJD cited a July 2024 Supreme Court judgment affirming states’ rights over mines and mineral-bearing lands.
The party estimated Odisha could have recovered Rs 1.5 lakh crore in arrears and earned Rs 12,000 crore annually in additional mining revenue.
BJD leaders criticised Dharmendra Pradhan and said the party would intensify its opposition to the legislation.
- Who
- The Biju Janata Dal, BJP leaders, Dharmendra Pradhan, Arun Sahoo and Bhrugu Baxipatra.
- What
- The BJD challenged the BJP to an open debate over the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill and criticised its effect on state mining revenues.
- Where
- At a press conference at Sankha Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- When
- The BJD made the statements on Friday; the Supreme Court judgment cited by the party was issued in July 2024.
- Why
- The BJD alleges that the amendment removes Odisha’s authority to collect mineral-related taxes and could cause substantial financial losses.
BJD’s position
BJP-aligned position
Financial impact on Odisha
BJD’s position
The BJD says the amendment will take away Odisha’s legitimate entitlement and cause major losses, including potential arrears of around Rs 1.5 lakh crore and annual revenue of Rs 12,000 crore.
BJP-aligned position
Dharmendra Pradhan said Odisha would not suffer any loss because of the Bill and accused Naveen Patnaik of misleading the public.
Control over mineral taxes
BJD’s position
The BJD argues that states have constitutional and legal rights over mines and mineral resources, including the authority to impose levies and taxes.
BJP-aligned position
The amendment, as described by the BJD, gives the Central Government the power to collect taxes from the mining sector; the BJP supported the legislation.
Parliamentary process
BJD’s position
The BJD criticised the Bill as arbitrary and said it was passed in the Lok Sabha without discussion.
BJP-aligned position
BJP MPs representing Odisha supported the legislation, according to the BJD; the article does not provide a separate BJP explanation of the parliamentary process.
Key facts
- Legislation
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill
- BJD’s allegation
- The amendment transfers the power to collect mining-sector taxes from states to the Central Government.
- Supreme Court judgment
- A nine-judge Constitution Bench examined states’ rights over mines and mineral-bearing lands in July 2024.
- Estimated arrears for Odisha
- Around Rs 1.5 lakh crore, according to the BJD.
- Estimated annual revenue
- Rs 12,000 crore in additional mining revenue for Odisha, according to the BJD.
- Parliamentary claim
- The BJD said the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha without discussion.
- Political response
- The BJD challenged the BJP to an open debate and said it would intensify its opposition.
Quotes
Arun Sahoo
Former Odisha minister and BJD MLA
“Accordingly, it was estimated that Odisha alone could recover around Rs 1.5 lakh crore as arrears. In addition, it was estimated that the state could earn additional Rs 12,000 crore annually in mining revenue. However, through the MMDR Amendment Bill, the Central Government has taken away Odisha’s legitimate entitlement.”
thehansindia.com
“Revenue generated from the mining sector played an important role in the development of the State. Unfortunately, after bringing in the MMDR Amendment Bill, the BJP Government has sacrificed the interests of Odisha and handed over the power to collect taxes from the mining sector to the Central Government.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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