6 days ago
Odisha INDIA Bloc Plans Assembly Gherao Over MMDR Law
Opposition parties in Odisha are planning a large protest against a new mining law.
They will hold meetings in Bhubaneswar and several mineral-rich districts before September 29.
On September 29, they plan to hold a public meeting and surround the state Assembly.
The INDIA bloc says the law could give corporations and the central government more control over Odisha’s minerals.
It also says the law could harm tribal communities and reduce the state’s income.
BJD leaders made similar accusations against the BJP government.
One BJD leader said Odisha could lose Rs 12,000 crore each year and more than Rs 1 lakh crore in taxes.
The BJP says these claims are misleading and that Odisha will gain from the law.
The opposition wants the law repealed and is asking workers, farmers, unions, tribal people, youth and women to join the campaign.
The Odisha INDIA bloc will gherao the state Assembly and hold a public meeting in Bhubaneswar on September 29.
State-level conventions are planned in Bhubaneswar and four mineral-rich districts from September 8 to 21.
The alliance calls the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, “anti-Odisha” and “anti-tribal.”
Opposition leaders allege the law could transfer control of Odisha’s mines and cost the state Rs 12,000 crore annually plus more than Rs 1 lakh crore in outstanding taxes.
The BJP rejects the allegations, saying Odisha will benefit from the law and accusing the BJD and Congress of misleading people.
- Who
- The Odisha INDIA bloc, including the Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist) Liberation, Forward Bloc, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar), Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal, is organizing the protest; the Bharatiya Janata Party opposes its claims.
- What
- The INDIA bloc plans an Assembly gherao and public meeting to protest the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, and demand its repeal.
- Where
- The main protest will take place in Bhubaneswar and around the Odisha Assembly; conventions are planned in Bhubaneswar, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Angul and Rayagada.
- When
- The main protest is scheduled for September 29. Conventions are planned from September 8 through September 21.
- Why
- The opposition says the legislation threatens Odisha’s control over mineral resources, state rights, tribal interests and mining-related revenue.
INDIA Bloc and Biju Janata Dal
Bharatiya Janata Party
Control of mineral resources
INDIA Bloc and Biju Janata Dal
The opposition says the law could place Odisha’s mines and mineral rights under greater central control and hand resources to corporations.
Bharatiya Janata Party
The BJP rejects the campaign’s claims and says Odisha will benefit when the new mining law is implemented.
Effect on state finances
INDIA Bloc and Biju Janata Dal
BJD leader Atanu S Nayak alleges that Odisha could lose Rs 12,000 crore annually and more than Rs 1 lakh crore in outstanding taxes.
Bharatiya Janata Party
The BJP says Odisha will not suffer under the law and characterizes the opposition’s allegations as misleading.
Reason for opposing the law
INDIA Bloc and Biju Janata Dal
The INDIA bloc demands repeal of the amendment and says the agitation will protect Odisha’s mineral resources, state rights and affected communities.
Bharatiya Janata Party
The BJP says the Biju Janata Dal, Indian National Congress and other INDIA bloc parties are opposing the law for political reasons.
Key facts
- Main protest
- A large public meeting and Assembly gherao in Bhubaneswar on September 29.
- Convention schedule
- Bhubaneswar on September 8; Keonjhar on September 13; Sundargarh on September 17; Angul on September 19; and Rayagada on September 21.
- Legislation opposed
- The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026.
- Opposition description
- The INDIA bloc describes the mining legislation as “anti-Odisha” and “anti-tribal.”
- Alleged revenue loss
- BJD leader Atanu S Nayak alleged Odisha could lose Rs 12,000 crore in annual revenue.
- Alleged tax loss
- Atanu S Nayak alleged Odisha could lose more than Rs 1 lakh crore in outstanding taxes.
- BJP position
- BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal said Odisha would gain, rather than suffer, when the law is implemented.
Quotes
Suresh Panigrahy
CPI(M) state secretary in Odisha
“Odisha will in no way suffer. Instead, it will gain when the new mining law is implemented. Both the BJD and Congress, along with INDIA bloc parties, have been opposing the law for opposition’s sake”
theprint.in
thehansindia.com
“It has been decided to organise a large public meeting in Bhubaneswar on September 29 and to gherao the assembly”
theprint.in
thehansindia.com
Sources
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