1 week ago
Odisha Opposition Protests MMDR Bill, BJP Defends Mining Reforms
Several opposition parties in Odisha protested a new mining law.
They held a torchlight vigil in Bhubaneswar and burned effigies of the Chief Minister and BJP lawmakers.
The protesters said the law could reduce Odisha’s control over its mineral-rich land.
They also said local people would face pollution while companies gained the benefits.
A Congress leader claimed the State could lose more than Rs 1 lakh crore.
The BJD made similar criticisms and said the law harmed Odisha’s rights.
The BJP government disagreed with these claims.
Its mining minister said reforms had brought large amounts of money to Odisha.
The two sides are arguing over who will benefit from the new mining rules.
INDIA bloc parties held a torchlight vigil in Bhubaneswar and burned effigies of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and 20 BJP MPs.
The protesters accused Odisha’s BJP lawmakers of remaining silent during Parliament’s passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill.
Opposition leaders called the Bill “anti-Odisha” and “anti-tribal,” arguing it weakens the State’s rights over mineral-bearing lands.
Congress leader Debashish Patnaik claimed Odisha could lose more than Rs 1 lakh crore under the new mining laws.
Odisha’s Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena defended the reforms, while the BJD accused the BJP governments of favoring mine owners and undermining federalism.
- Who
- INDIA bloc parties, the BJD, Odisha BJP leaders and Odisha’s Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena.
- What
- Opposition parties protested the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill and criticized BJP lawmakers for supporting or remaining silent during its passage.
- Where
- The protest was held at Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar, Odisha; the BJD separately issued its criticism from Sankha Bhawan.
- When
- The protest took place on Monday, following the Bill’s recent passage in Parliament.
- Why
- Opposition leaders said the Bill would harm Odisha’s mineral rights, tribal communities and finances, while the BJP said mining reforms benefit the State.
Opposition and BJD
BJP government
Impact on Odisha’s rights
Opposition and BJD
The INDIA bloc and BJD called the Bill “anti-Odisha” and “anti-tribal,” saying it would take away the State’s rights over mineral-bearing lands.
BJP government
The BJP’s position, expressed by Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, is that its reforms protect Odisha’s interests and have helped the State receive substantial mining revenue.
Who benefits from mining
Opposition and BJD
Opposition leaders said Odisha would bear mining pollution while corporate houses and BJP leaders at the Centre would receive the benefits.
BJP government
The BJP rejected the opposition’s portrayal and said the Congress and BJD were misleading people instead of presenting the facts.
Financial consequences
Opposition and BJD
Congress leader Debashish Patnaik claimed Odisha could lose over Rs 1 lakh crore and said collecting mining-tax arrears would provide major benefits to residents.
BJP government
The BJP defended the reforms as a source of large amounts of revenue for Odisha, without accepting the opposition’s loss estimate.
Key facts
- Protesting groups
- Congress, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, Forward Bloc, NCP and SP leaders, along with the INDIA bloc.
- Bill
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, also called the MMDR Bill.
- Protest action
- A torchlight vigil was held and effigies were burned.
- Opposition estimate
- Congress leader Debashish Patnaik claimed Odisha could lose over Rs 1 lakh crore under the new mining laws.
- BJP response
- Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said mining-sector reforms had brought substantial funds to Odisha.
- BJD criticism
- The BJD said the Centre had taken away Odisha’s rights and acted in ways beneficial to mine owners.
Quotes
Bibhuti Bhusan Jena
Odisha Steel and Mines Minister and BJP leader
“The BJP, as a ruling party, never compromises with the interest of Odisha. In fact, the State has received huge amounts from the mining sector only because of reforms brought by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both the Congress and the BJD are misleading the people instead of presenting the facts.”
thehansindia.com
“The State is not able to collect any arrears from the mining companies. If the outstanding mining tax is collected, the 4.5 crore Odias will get Rs 22,000 each.”
thehansindia.com
Biju Janata Dal
Odisha political party that issued a statement condemning the mining legislation
“The BJP government at the Centre has snatched away Odisha’s rights. The double-engine government continues to murder democracy by destabilising the federal system of governance and acting in a manner that is beneficial to mine owners and not the people.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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