Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and Leader of the Opposition in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, has addressed a letter to Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament from Odisha, urging them to advocate for the reversal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Patnaik described the recent passage of the legislation as “a black day for Odisha” and appealed to the parliamentarians to protect the interests of their home state.

The legislation, which cleared both Houses of Parliament on August 13, aims to bring stability to the major minerals sector and attract domestic investment through a predictable fiscal framework. However, several regional leaders, including Patnaik, have raised alarms over its potential impact on state revenues and autonomy regarding natural resources.

Concerns Over Financial and Resource Control

Patnaik heavily criticised the legislative process, pointing out that the MPs approved the bill in the Lok Sabha with minimal debate. “The Bill was passed with less than ten minutes of discussion in the Lok Sabha, despite having provisions with far-reaching implications for the people of Odisha,” he stated. Emphasising the state’s massive contribution of nearly 44 per cent of India’s mineral wealth, he cautioned that Odisha remains the most severely affected by the new legal framework.

Highlighting the historical role of the state in national development, the former chief minister reminded the parliamentarians of their mandate. “Our Parliament is the highest temple of Indian democracy. As a member of Parliament, you are the voice of Odisha in this highest forum of democracy. The people of Odisha elected you in good faith to protect and further their interests,” Patnaik wrote.

He noted that while Odisha has bolstered the country’s steel, power, and infrastructure sectors, the state could now face revenue losses ranging from Rs 12,000 crore to lakhs of crores over time. “India stands taller and stronger today because of the immense contribution made by Odisha and her people,” he added.

“But the bigger loss is that in a single legislative stroke the control over our own minerals and our mineral bearing lands was taken away from us. And this happened under your watch,” Patnaik expressed in his letter to the ruling party’s representatives.

Appeal for Future Generations

Focusing on the long-term consequences, the BJD leader framed the new law as detrimental to the youth and local communities who bear the brunt of mining activities. “This law is an injustice to the children and youth of Odisha, whose future is linked to the resources and opportunities of this State,” he argued. He further described the amendment as an injustice to those who “bear the pollution, displacement, environmental degradation and the hazards and hardships of mining”.

Calling upon the parliamentarians to reflect on their legacy, Patnaik urged immediate action against the central legislation. “I earnestly appeal to you to listen to your conscience and think about the future generations of Odisha. I appeal to you to challenge and call for a reversal of the amendment made in the MMDR Act that takes away the powers of the state government,” he stated.

Concluding his appeal, Patnaik reminded the politicians of how the public would remember their actions in the years to come. He stressed that “history will judge you not by the party you stood with, but by whether you stood up for Odisha when it mattered most”.

Central Government Reassurances

In contrast to the apprehensions raised by the opposition leaders, the Ministry of Mines maintained that the legislation will ensure a more predictable fiscal regime. According to an official press release, the amendment does not strip state governments of their rights over land and minerals, nor does it remove their power to levy taxes on these resources.

The ministry clarified that approximately 90 per cent of taxes and statutory payments derived from mining currently go to the states. And this financial arrangement will continue under the updated framework. Furthermore, the central government assured that the powers of the states to regulate and tax minor minerals will remain completely unaffected.

Despite these assurances from the Union government, opposition continues to mount. Other prominent leaders, such as Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Kerala’s VD Satheesan, and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, have also called upon the central administration to reconsider the contentious amendments.

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