The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has strongly criticised the MMDR Amendment Act 2026, alleging that it strips Odisha of its rightful authority over mines and mineral‑bearing land, thereby undermining the federal structure.
At a press conference in Shankha Bhavan, Rajya Sabha MP Dr Santrupt Mishra said the Act has permanently taken away the state’s rights to levy taxes and royalties on mines. He cited the Supreme Court’s nine‑judge bench judgment of July 25, 2026, which upheld states’ rights to impose levies and recover dues dating back to 2005. According to the judgment, Odisha was entitled to recover over Rs 1 lakh crore in arrears and earn Rs 12,000 crore annually in mining revenue.
Dr Mishra argued that the amendment nullifies these gains, causing Odisha to lose both arrears and future revenue. He accused the BJP of betraying Odisha’s interests by supporting the Act in Parliament, despite BJD President Naveen Patnaik writing to BJP MPs urging them to oppose it.
The BJD leader further pointed out that the Odisha Review (Nov 2025) and an affidavit by Advocate General Pitambar Acharya before the Supreme Court had clearly stated that Odisha’s entitlement to arrears and annual revenue was crucial for the state’s progress. He said BJP’s claim that Odisha would not suffer losses is “a blatant falsehood.”
The party described the amendment as an attack on federalism, stripping states of their constitutional rights over natural resources.
