‘Mining Bill a blow to Odisha’s fiscal autonomy’: BJD chief asks Majhi to convene all-party meet

Former Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik on Friday demanded a special session of the Assembly to voice dissent against the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which was passed by Parliament on Thursday. Mr. Patnaik said the Bill usurps Odisha’s fiscal autonomy and termed it a “threat” to the State’s constitutional rights over its resources.

In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday, the senior Opposition leader stated that provisions in the Bill would “disproportionately impact” mineral-rich States such as Odisha, leading to “massive revenue losses” and stifling the State’s developmental agenda.

A day earlier, hours after the Bill was cleared by the Rajya Sabha, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren had voiced criticism of the proposed legislation. He described it as a “black Bill” and warned of protests in “every district, every block, every panchayat, every town” of the State.

In his letter to Mr. Majhi, the BJD chief expressed concern at an amendment granting the sole authority over the framing of rules to the Centre and restricting States’ power to levy taxes on minerals.

“Odisha’s natural wealth belongs to her people, and the revenue generated from mining operations is crucial for financing healthcare, education, welfare schemes and infrastructure development across the State,” observed the former Chief Minister.

“By stripping the State of its power to impose taxes and cesses on its own mineral-bearing lands, the Union Government has dealt a heavy blow to federalism and State revenue autonomy,” he added and urged Mr. Majhi to immediately convene an all-party meeting.