Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has rejected demands from the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress for a special session of the state assembly to discuss the impact of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, recently passed by Parliament, asserting that there was no need for a separate discussion on the matter.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the issue can be discussed during the regular monsoon session of the assembly, notification of which will be issued soon. “The state government is ready to discuss all matters to be raised by the Opposition in the session,” he said.
The monsoon session is likely to be convened during the second week of September, and both opposition parties are preparing to raise the issue then.
The demand for a special session had been made by Leader of Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik as well as Congress Legislature Party leader Ramachandra Kadam, who described the legislation as “anti-Odisha” and harmful to the state’s interests. Both leaders wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi seeking a special session and an all-party meeting.
On Saturday, a Congress delegation led by Kadam submitted a memorandum to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati at Lok Bhavan, urging a special session to deliberate on what the party said concerned the interests of Odisha and its people.
The amendment, cleared by both Houses of Parliament earlier in August, restricts state governments from levying any tax, cess or similar levy on mineral rights or mineral-bearing lands except under conditions prescribed by the Centre. Opposition parties in the mineral-rich state have argued that it undermines federal principles, centralises control over resources and risks substantial revenue losses, including potential arrears linked to past claims following a Supreme Court ruling that had affirmed states’ powers in this area.
Congress vice-president Santosh Singh Saluja and MLA CS Raajen Ekka strongly criticised the minister for rejecting the demand. Stating that the government was afraid of calling a special session, they alleged the double-engine government had sacrificed Odisha’s interests. “It is very unfortunate that the minister has rejected the Congress’ demand for a special session on the MMDR bill. The state will lose about Rs 10,000 crore in revenue annually and will also have to bear the loss of lakhs of crores of rupees in arrears,” Saluja said.
He alleged that the Centre was seeking control over Odisha’s natural resources, including its water, forests, land and minerals, after coming to power in the state in the name of “Odia Asmita”. Ekka added, “There will be demonstrations in the state, from the state capital to gram panchayats, and the houses of all BJP MPs will also be surrounded in the coming days.”
Addressing a media conference, senior BJD leader and former minister Pritiranjan Gharai and party MLA Byomakesh Ray said the LoP had demanded a special session and an all-party meeting. However, the BJP is not doing so for the benefit of mine owners, they alleged.
Questioning how the Centre could pass such an important Bill in Parliament without consulting the states, they said it undermined the federal framework and constitutional system of the country.
Gharai claimed the bill was passed without any discussion. “This will cause extensive losses to Odisha. The revenue from all the mines in the state will go under the control of the central government,” he claimed.
Describing the BJP as a “party of businessmen”, the BJD questioned the alleged silence of the party’s 25 MPs from Odisha—20 in the Lok Sabha and five in the Rajya Sabha—during the passage of the Bill. Gharai alleged that BJP MPs from Odisha remained silent when the state’s rights were being taken away and “sacrificed the interests of Odisha for party interests”. Opposition leaders have also warned of further protests, including potential statewide actions, while the state government maintains the matter can be addressed in the forthcoming session.
