BJD protests 2026 mining law amendment, seeks Presidential intervention

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday staged a large-scale protest in Bhubaneswar against the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2026, urging constitutional intervention to reverse the legislation.

A delegation of party leaders marched to Lok Bhavan and submitted a memorandum to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, addressed to President Droupadi Murmu, outlining the financial implications of the amended law for Odisha.

The party argued that Odisha, being one of India's most mineral-rich states, has historically relied on revenue from iron ore, coal, bauxite, and chromite to fund development and welfare programmes. The memorandum warned that the amendment would severely curtail the state's fiscal autonomy and its rights over mineral-bearing lands.

BJD leaders cited a Supreme Court judgment from July 24, 2024, which affirmed the power of state governments to levy taxes on mining operations and mineral-bearing lands. Following that verdict, Odisha was estimated to be entitled to more than ₹1 lakh crore in arrears dating back to April 1, 2005, along with an additional annual revenue of approximately ₹12,000 crore.

The party expressed concern that the 2026 amendment expands Union control over 'mineral-bearing lands' under Section 2, restricts states under Section 9D from imposing taxes or cesses on mineral rights, and empowers the Centre under Section 13 to frame rules limiting such state taxation.

The BJD urged the Governor to exercise his powers under Article 244(1) of the Fifth Schedule, which provides a special constitutional framework for the administration of Scheduled Areas, to protect the state's interests.