Bhubaneswar | August 24, 2026 | INFRAINTEL Bureau
(The Hans India)
The Odisha Congress has demanded a special session of the state assembly to discuss amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) law, alleging that the changes would reduce state powers and cause substantial revenue losses.
A delegation of Congress legislators led by Ram Chandra Kadam submitted a memorandum to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati seeking detailed discussion and withdrawal of the legislation.
Kadam alleged that the Bill had been passed by Parliament without adequate debate and would restrict the state’s authority to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land.
The Congress claimed that Odisha could face a cumulative loss of around Rs 1 lakh crore and an annual revenue reduction of about Rs 20,000 crore. These figures are political claims and require verification against the final statutory provisions and official revenue modelling.
The party argued that the amendments could affect Odisha’s fiscal autonomy and the interests of communities in mineral-bearing areas, particularly tribal populations.
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik had earlier opposed the legislation. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party rejected the allegations and said mineral-rich states and the country would benefit through improved utilisation and value addition.
BJP general secretary Biranchi Narayan Tripathy accused the Congress and Biju Janata Dal of spreading misleading information and linked the legislation to the national objective of increasing investment in the minerals sector.
The dispute highlights a broader federal question over control of mineral revenues, taxation powers and the distribution of benefits and costs between the Union, states and mining-affected communities. A credible assessment requires comparison of the amended provisions with existing law, state-wise revenue projections and safeguards for local development and rehabilitation.