Bhubaneswar, Aug 14 (IANS) Leader of Opposition and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Friday expressed serious concern over the passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill and urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to convene an urgent session of the Odisha Assembly to adopt a resolution opposing the amendment.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Minister, Patnaik wrote that the legislative measure poses a serious threat to Odisha’s fiscal autonomy and constitutional rights over its natural resources.
He said BJD MPs had strongly opposed the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, raising concerns over what he described as a severe infringement on the state’s financial rights.
“The provisions introduced in this Bill will disproportionately impact mineral‑rich states like Odisha, leading to massive revenue losses and stifling our state’s developmental agenda,” alleged Patnaik.
The BJD chief claimed that the amendment, which expands the Union Government’s control under Section 2 to include “mineral‑bearing lands” in addition to the regulation of mines, raises concerns over encroachment on the state’s land and fiscal jurisdiction.
Patnaik noted that the amendment under Section 9D restricts the states’ revenue powers by explicitly prohibiting them from imposing any tax, cess or similar levy on mineral rights or mineral‑bearing lands, whether based on quantity, value or royalty, except under conditions prescribed by the Central Government.
The LoP emphasised that the amendment to Section 13 gives the Central Government exclusive authority to frame rules restricting state governments’ power 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, social welfare schemes and infrastructure development across the state. 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,” asserted Patnaik.
He urged CM Majhi to convene an All‑Party Meeting immediately to build a unified consensus on safeguarding Odisha’s federal rights and mineral revenues, and also summon a special session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly to formally pass a unanimous resolution opposing this Amendment Act and protesting the Union Government’s usurpation of state powers.
He further stressed that the issue transcends political affiliations, as it directly affects Odisha’s financial stability and future growth.
“If the Central Government takes away the state’s authority over mineral‑bearing lands and its right to levy cesses, only pollution, displacement and burden of mining will remain with Odisha, while the benefits are taken away from its people,” Patnaik added.
–IANS
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