Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Odisha Congress Warns of Rs 1 Lakh Crore Mining Loss
Odisha’s Congress party is worried about proposed changes to India’s mining law.
It says the changes could reduce the money Odisha receives from mining.
Congress claims the total loss could be nearly Rs 1 lakh crore.
It also says the state might lose about Rs 20,000 crore every year.
The party has asked for a special meeting of Odisha’s Assembly to discuss the issue.
Odisha’s Governor received this request from Congress leaders.
The BJP, which runs the state government, says these claims are misleading.
The BJP says the changes will not cause a financial loss and could help India use its minerals more effectively.
Odisha Congress has urged Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati to facilitate a special Assembly session on the MMDR Amendment Bill, 2026.
Congress Legislature Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam claimed the amendments could cause Odisha cumulative losses of nearly Rs 1 lakh crore.
Kadam also alleged that Odisha could lose around Rs 20,000 crore in annual revenue if the changes are implemented.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party rejected the claims as misleading and said the amendments would not financially harm Odisha.
The dispute centers on Odisha’s mining revenues, mineral resources and the state’s share of benefits from natural resources.
- Who
- The Odisha Congress, led in this effort by Congress Legislature Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam, is challenging the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s position on the proposed mining-law amendments.
- What
- Congress has requested a special Odisha Assembly session to discuss the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 and its possible effect on state revenues.
- When
- The Congress delegation met Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Saturday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- The delegation met the Governor at Lok Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
- Why
- Congress says the amendments could substantially reduce Odisha’s mining revenue, while the BJP says the allegations are misleading and that the reforms will not cause financial losses.
Congress’s Claims
BJP’s Position
Financial impact on Odisha
Congress’s Claims
Congress claims the amendments could cause nearly Rs 1 lakh crore in cumulative losses and around Rs 20,000 crore in annual revenue losses.
BJP’s Position
The BJP rejects the figures as misleading and says the amended framework would not cause any financial loss to Odisha.
Need for Assembly debate
Congress’s Claims
Congress says Odisha’s Assembly should hold a special session because the state relies substantially on mining revenues and needs to examine the legislation’s implications.
BJP’s Position
The BJP has accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation and creating unnecessary public apprehension over the proposed changes.
Purpose of the reforms
Congress’s Claims
Congress is strongly opposed to the amendments because it believes they could harm Odisha’s revenue interests and its share of mineral wealth.
BJP’s Position
The BJP presents the amendments as part of a broader effort to unlock India’s mineral potential, accelerate economic growth and support the goal of becoming a developed economy by 2047.
- Legislation
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Congress’s claimed cumulative loss
- Nearly Rs 1 lakh crore
- Congress’s claimed annual loss
- Around Rs 20,000 crore
- Congress’s request
- A special session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly
- Governor met by delegation
- Hari Babu Kambhampati
- Congress delegation leader
- Rama Chandra Kadam
- BJP position
- The amendments would not cause financial loss to Odisha