Opposition bloc to gherao Odisha Assembly over mining law revenue loss
INDIA bloc parties plan to gherao Odisha Assembly on Sept 29, alleging the new mining law prevents states from recovering unpaid taxes and cess, causing huge revenue losses.
Opposition parties under the INDIA bloc banner have announced a 'gherao' (encirclement) of the Odisha Assembly on September 29 to protest against the new mining law. The parties allege that the legislation prevents mineral-rich states such as Odisha from recovering previously uncollected taxes, cess, and arrears, leading to revenue losses that could run into lakhs of crores of rupees.
The protest is aimed at drawing attention to what the opposition describes as a central move that curtails states' fiscal autonomy. Odisha, which is one of India's leading mineral producers, is expected to be among the worst affected if the law stands, as it would lose out on substantial revenue that could have been used for development and welfare programmes.
The gherao is part of a broader political campaign by the INDIA bloc to highlight the alleged financial impact of the new mining law on state governments. The parties have not yet specified the exact provisions of the law they are contesting, but they have made clear their intention to press the issue both inside and outside the Assembly.
Further details on the planned protest and the opposition's next steps are awaited.