States » EastPosted at: Sep 20 2026 7:33PM


Naveen urges CM Majhi to convene special session on MMDR amendment

Bhubaneswar, Sep 20 (UNI) BJD president and Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik on Sunday urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to convene a special session of the Assembly and pass a unanimous resolution seeking repeal of the recently enacted amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act.
In an official letter to Majhi, Patnaik reiterated that the amendment would undermine the state’s constitutional power to levy taxes on mineral wealth and mineral-bearing lands, and called for a united stand to protect Odisha’s interests.
Recalling that the BJD government had fought for years in the High Court and Supreme Court to protect the state’s taxation powers, he pointed out that the present government also opposed the claims of mining companies before the apex court.
The Supreme Court’s nine-judge Constitution Bench had upheld Odisha’s position, paving the way for recovery of past dues and generating recurring revenue of nearly Rs 12,000 crore annually, he said.
Patnaik further said the subsequent MMDR amendment had effectively taken away the state’s constitutional right to levy such taxes and could result in significant financial losses to Odisha.
He also alleged that 20 BJP MPs from Odisha had supported the amendment in Parliament, saying their support was contrary to the state’s interests.
Majhi, being the Leader of the House, should convene a special session, Patnaik said, adding that the Assembly should adopt a unanimous resolution demanding repeal of the amendment and reaffirming the state’s constitutional rights.
“The BJD will always stand with you in matters relating to the rights of Odisha and the future of our youth,” Patnaik said, seeking a united effort to urge the Centre to reconsider the amendment.
UNI MK RSA
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