Patnaik calls Mines Act amendment a 'black day' for Odisha, urges BJP MPs to seek rollback

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik has urged Odisha's BJP parliamentarians to seek a reversal of the recent amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, describing the law's passage as a "black day" for the state.

In a letter to the MPs, Patnaik noted that the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with less than ten minutes of discussion, despite containing provisions with significant consequences for Odisha. He argued that the state, which holds nearly 44% of India's mineral wealth, will be the worst affected by the legislation.

The former chief minister said Odisha has contributed its mineral resources for decades to build India's steel, power, mining, and infrastructure sectors. He added that the amendment, passed by Parliament on August 13, would result in an estimated annual loss of more than Rs 12,000 crore to the state, accumulating to lakhs of crores over time.

Patnaik said the bigger loss is the removal of the state's control over its own minerals and mineral-bearing lands in a single legislative stroke. He described the law as an injustice to the children and youth of Odisha, whose future is tied to the state's resources, and to the people who bear the pollution, displacement, and environmental degradation associated with mining.

He also expressed concern that the MPs, elected in good faith to protect the state's interests, voted in favour of the Bill. Patnaik had earlier called for a special session of the state assembly to discuss the amendment's impact.

In response, Union minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan criticised Patnaik for attempting to mislead people, asserting that the law would benefit Odisha.