Bhubaneswar, Sep 7 (PTI) Intensifying its stir against the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, Odisha’s opposition BJD on Monday said it would organise a ‘mass dharna’ in front of the Lok Bhavan here on September 9, demanding roll back of the new mining legislation.
The BJD announced the demonstration a day after the ruling BJP passed a resolution condemning opposition parties in Odisha for their protests against the Act.
Addressing a press conference here, BJD senior vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra said, “The party leaders and workers will stage a dharna outside the Lok Bhavan on September 9 and submit a memorandum to the President through the Odisha governor, demanding immediate withdrawal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026.” The party would also urge the governor to exercise his powers under Article 174 of the Constitution and summon a special session of the assembly to have a detailed discussion on the Act, which he alleged was passed hurriedly in Parliament without any discussion.
The Act seeks to amend the regulations for mines and minerals, whereby states will be restricted from levying additional tax on mineral rights.
“Besides, under Article 244(1) and the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, the governor has the responsibility of protecting the interests of tribal communities of the state. The intervention of the governor will be sought to protect the interests of these communities residing in mining areas,” Mishra said.
The BJD will also organise various demonstrations across the state against the new mining legislation, he said.
Mishra said BJD president and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik had earlier written a letter to the chief minister to convene a special session of the assembly for a debate on the matter. Patnaik had also written to all the BJP MPs to raise their voice against the “injustice meted out to Odisha” through the new mining law.
“However, neither the CM responded to the letter nor the BJP MPs came forward. Therefore, the BJD resolved to fight it out till the Act is withdrawn,” Mishra asserted.
The BJD, in a statement, alleged that the Act is against the interests of Odisha as the legislation “will ensure that the state lost around Rs 1 lakh crore towards its outstanding dues and approximately Rs 12,000 crore annually in mining revenue”.
Meanwhile, the INDIA Bloc parties comprising the Congress, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, Forward Bloc, NCP and SP, met at the Congress Bhawan here and announced holding a state-level convention on the MMDR Amendment Act, 20206, in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
“We strongly oppose the new mining law, which is against the state and its people, particularly the tribals. In the convention, the INDIA Bloc parties will decide on the proposed Odisha Bandh and economic blockade in mineral-bearing districts,” CPI(M) state secretary Suresh Panigrahy said.
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das said: “We will hold massive rallies against the Act in Sundargarh on September 18, in Rayagada on September 21, in Keonjhar on September 24 and in Angul on September 26. This apart, the INDIA Bloc parties will also organise a Vidhan Sabha Gherao programme on September 29.” The ruling BJP, however, criticised the opposition parties and accused them of “misleading” people over the new mining law, which will be “beneficial” for the state. PTI AAM RBT
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