Patnaik calls for reversal of MMDR amendment, calls it black day for Odisha
Odisha's Naveen Patnaik urged BJP MPs from the state to reverse the MMDR Amendment Act, branding its passage a 'black day' for Odisha. The bill, passed August 13, is said to affect the state's mineral wealth and trigger long-term losses, while the Ministry of Mines says it stabilizes the mining sect
Key takeaways
- Patnaik urged Odisha BJP MPs to seek reversal of the MMDR Amendment Bill, labeling its passage a 'black day' for Odisha.
- The amendment was passed in Parliament on August 13 with criticism over the speed of debate, according to Patnaik.
- Odisha claims about 44% of India’s mineral wealth and warns of substantial long-term losses from the amendment.
- The Ministry of Mines says the amendment creates a more predictable mining regime and does not strip state rights over land or mineral taxation.
- Dharmendra Pradhan criticized Patnaik’s stance, suggesting the amendment would benefit Odisha.
What Happened
Odisha political figure Naveen Patnaik, who leads the Biju Janata Dal and serves as Leader of Opposition in Odisha’s Legislative Assembly, wrote to BJP MPs from Odisha urging them to seek reversal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. He called the passage of the bill a "black day for Odisha" and criticized the Lok Sabha vote for occurring with limited discussion.
The amendments were described by the Ministry of Mines as intended to create a more predictable fiscal regime to support domestic mining and investment, while maintaining that state rights over land and minerals and tax powers are not being removed. The bill was passed on August 13 in Parliament.
Patnaik argued that Odisha accounts for roughly 44% of India’s mineral wealth and has contributed to the development of steel, power, mining and infrastructure sectors. He warned of long-term losses for the state and its people, citing estimates of annual losses running into ₹12,000 crore and accumulating to lakhs of crores over time. He also asserted that the amendment would reduce the state’s control over its mineral lands and resources and linked the issue to broader concerns about pollution, displacement and environmental impacts of mining.
In parallel commentary, former union minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan criticized Patnaik’s approach, suggesting the move would benefit Odisha rather than mislead people.
Background
The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, received passage in Parliament on August 13 and aims to bring greater certainty and stability to India’s major minerals sector, according to the government. Odisha has repeatedly highlighted its significant share of the country’s mineral wealth and the potential social and fiscal costs it associates with changes to mineral governance.
Key Facts
- Naveen Patnaik, leader of the BJD in Odisha, urged Odisha BJP MPs to seek reversal of the MMDR Amendment Bill, 2026.
- The bill was passed by Parliament on August 13, 2026, after a brief Lok Sabha discussion of under ten minutes, according to Patnaik and multiple reports.
- Odisha accounts for about 44% of India’s mineral wealth and says the state has contributed to steel, power, mining and infrastructure sectors.
- Patnaik estimated potential financial losses for Odisha at more than ₹12,000 crore annually, with cumulative losses described as lakhs of crores over time.
- The Ministry of Mines stated the amendment would provide a more predictable regime and does not remove state rights over land, minerals or their taxing powers.
- Dharmendra Pradhan, a former Union minister and Sambalpur MP, criticized Patnaik’s stance, arguing the amendment would benefit Odisha.
What Happens Next
No additional formal steps from Patnaik or his party were outlined in the reporting. The discussion around reversing the amendment and any potential parliamentary or state actions remain contingent on further political deliberation and responses from MPs.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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