4 days ago
Patnaik, Pradhan Clash Over Odisha Mining Law Changes
Naveen Patnaik says changes to India’s mining law could hurt Odisha.
He claims the state could lose more than Rs 12,000 crore every year.
He also says Odisha would lose control over some of its minerals and mineral-bearing land.
Patnaik asked the state’s BJP MPs to work for reversing the changes.
He called the Bill’s passage a “black day” and said there was very little discussion in the Lok Sabha.
Dharmendra Pradhan disagreed with these claims.
Pradhan said Odisha would keep most mining income and retain auction premiums, royalties and District Mineral Foundation funds.
The two leaders also disagreed over how mining money had been used and whether the law would help industries.
Naveen Patnaik urged Odisha’s 20 BJP Lok Sabha MPs to seek reversal of the MMDR Act amendments.
Patnaik claimed the changes could reduce Odisha’s annual revenue by more than Rs 12,000 crore and weaken state control over minerals.
He called the Bill’s August 13 Lok Sabha passage a “black day” for Odisha, alleging it received less than 10 minutes of debate.
Dharmendra Pradhan rejected Patnaik’s revenue claim, saying about 90 per cent of mining-sector revenue would continue reaching state treasuries.
Pradhan cited increased mining revenue and District Mineral Foundation funds while alleging irregularities under the previous BJD government.
- Who
- BJD president and Odisha Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, Odisha’s BJP Lok Sabha MPs, and former Union minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan.
- What
- Patnaik called for reversal of amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, while Pradhan defended the amended framework.
- Where
- The dispute concerns Odisha and legislation passed by the Parliament of India.
- When
- Patnaik wrote to the BJP MPs on August 29; the amendment Bill passed the Lok Sabha on August 13 during Parliament’s Monsoon Session.
- Why
- Patnaik said the amendments could reduce state revenue and control over mineral resources; Pradhan said they would protect revenue and support industrial and economic growth.
Patnaik’s Objections
Pradhan’s Defense
State revenue
Patnaik’s Objections
Patnaik claimed the amendments could cost Odisha more than Rs 12,000 crore annually by restricting state taxes, cesses and levies connected to mineral rights and mineral-bearing land.
Pradhan’s Defense
Pradhan called the claim factually incorrect and said about 90 per cent of mining-sector revenue would continue going directly to state treasuries.
Control over minerals
Patnaik’s Objections
Patnaik said the amendments took away state control over Odisha’s minerals and mineral-bearing lands.
Pradhan’s Defense
Pradhan argued that the framework would protect Odisha’s revenues and prevent multiple levies from harming mining, manufacturing and related industries.
Mining communities and funds
Patnaik’s Objections
Patnaik highlighted pollution, displacement, environmental degradation and other hardships faced by mining-affected communities.
Pradhan’s Defense
Pradhan emphasized more than Rs 37,000 crore in District Mineral Foundation funds for drinking water, healthcare, education and rural roads, while alleging irregularities in the previous BJD government’s use of some funds.
Key facts
- Patnaik’s estimated loss
- More than Rs 12,000 crore in annual revenue, according to Patnaik.
- Odisha’s mineral share
- Patnaik said Odisha accounts for nearly 44 per cent of India’s mineral wealth.
- Bill passage
- The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed the Lok Sabha on August 13 and Parliament during its Monsoon Session.
- Debate duration
- Patnaik alleged that the Bill received less than 10 minutes of discussion in the Lok Sabha.
- Pradhan’s revenue claim
- Pradhan said around 90 per cent of total mining-sector revenues would continue to accrue directly to state treasuries.
- Mining revenue cited by Pradhan
- He said Odisha’s annual mining revenue rose from around Rs 5,000 crore before 2014 to nearly Rs 50,000 crore after the 2015 reforms.
- District Mineral Foundation funds
- Pradhan said more than Rs 37,000 crore had been generated for local development in Odisha’s mining districts since 2015.
- Political representation
- Odisha has 21 Lok Sabha MPs; the BJP won 20 seats and Congress won one.
Quotes
Naveen Patnaik
BJD president and leader of the opposition in the Odisha assembly
“This law is an injustice to the children and youth of Odisha, whose future is linked to the resources and opportunities of this state. It is an injustice to the people of Odisha who bear the pollution, displacement, environmental degradation and the hazards and hardships of mining.”
theprint.in
“I earnestly appeal to you (BJP MPs) to listen to your conscience and think about the future generations of Odisha. I appeal to you to challenge and call for a reversal of the amendment made in the MMDR Act that takes away the powers of the state government”
theprint.in
thehansindia.com
Sources
Patnaik urges BJP MPs from Odisha to call for reversal of mining law amendments
‘History will judge you’: Naveen Patnaik confronts Odisha BJP MPs, claims mining law could cost state Rs 12,000 crore a year
Odisha: Naveen Urges Odisha BJP MPs To Oppose MMDR Law
Naveen urges BJP MPs to oppose mining law changes
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