Odisha Oppn Seeks All-Party Meet Over Mining Bill, Cites Federalism Concerns
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has written to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging him to convene an all-party meeting and a special session of the State Assembly to discuss the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The Bill was passed by Parliament on Thursday, and Mr. Patnaik has expressed concern that it undermines Odisha's fiscal autonomy and constitutional rights over its mineral resources.
In his letter to Mr. Majhi on Friday, the senior Opposition leader said the provisions in the Bill would “disproportionately impact” mineral-rich states such as Odisha. He warned that the legislation could lead to “massive revenue losses” and adversely affect the State's developmental agenda. Mr. Patnaik specifically pointed to an amendment that grants the Centre sole authority over the framing of rules and restricts the power of states 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,” the letter stated. “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.”
The Bill, which seeks to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, was cleared by both Houses of Parliament. It has drawn criticism from leaders in several mineral-rich states. On Thursday, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren had described the legislation as a “black Bill” and warned of protests across his state. His remarks came hours after the Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha.
Political observers note that the concerns raised by Mr. Patnaik reflect a broader unease among mineral-producing states about the centralisation of mining regulations. The Centre, which piloted the Bill, has maintained that the amendments are aimed at streamlining mineral governance and ensuring better utilisation of resources, though responses from the state governments are yet to be made public.
The BJD chief's call for an all-party meeting is seen as an attempt to build a united front among political parties in Odisha on the issue. Leaders from various parties have previously expressed support for protecting states' rights over their natural resources. Mr. Patnaik's letter urges the Chief Minister to act promptly, emphasising that the State's fiscal health depends on its ability to generate revenue from its mineral wealth.
This development comes at a time when the State government is yet to formulate its official response to the central legislation. The demand for a special Assembly session, if accepted, would provide a platform for lawmakers from all parties to discuss the implications of the Bill and decide on a collective course of action.
The final contours of the Bill's implementation, particularly with regard to the collection of taxes and royalties, are likely to depend on subsequent rules and notifications. In the meantime, the opposition campaign against the legislation is expected to intensify in Odisha and other states that rely heavily on mining revenue.
