Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched a sharp attack on the central government on Wednesday over the recent amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act.
Naveen alleged that the changes would severely undermine Odisha’s financial interests and weaken the state’s sovereign rights over its vital natural resources.
Warning that Odisha’s economy is now “in danger,” he urged political leaders across all parties to unite to protect the state’s welfare. He revealed that he has written to Chief Minister Mohan Majhi requesting an urgent all-party meeting and a special session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly to deliberate on the amendment’s legal and economic fallout. “No one is bigger than the interest of Odisha and the people of Odisha. Not for the party, but for the interest of the soil, we have to stand united today,” he stated.
Fiscal Concerns and Loss of Mineral Revenue
Reflecting on his 24-year tenure heading the state government, the former CM recalled how Odisha transitioned from severe economic strain in 2000, when the state was dependent on overdrafts, to a financially stable state leaving behind a revenue surplus of ₹5,000 crore by the time his government demitted office in 2024.
He warned that the central government’s legislative overhaul will drastically reduce Odisha’s revenue, leaving it dependent on central aid. “For 24 years, I safeguarded Odisha’s financial health. Even when different coalition governments were at the Centre, no one dared to encroach upon Odisha’s rights. You brought in a new BJP government in 2024, and within months, everything has changed—making Odisha entirely dependent on the mercy of the Centre .
The former CM cautioned that the MMDR amendment curtails Odisha’s ability to gain financial benefits from its rich reserves of chromite, bauxite, iron ore, coal, and manganese. Why should we be prevented from collecting taxes for the welfare of our people?” he questioned.
“Our people will bear the dust and smoke, but the Delhi Darbar will prosper from our resources. We will not allow this to happen,” he stressed.
Naveen emphasised that Biju Patnaik had always championed state financial autonomy He cautioned that losing thousands of crores in annual revenue would directly hit grassroots development. “Due to this amendment bill, Odisha will lose vast amounts of tax resources. Every year, we will lose thousands of crores. With this money, numerous schools, colleges, hospitals, roads, bridges, and power stations could have been built for Odisha, along with new welfare projects for the poor . What answer will we give to future generations if we let Odisha be weakened by this deep conspiracy.”
Targeting BJP MPs and Appeal to the Youth
The BJD chief also criticised 20 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs from Odisha in Lok Sabha, accusing them of failing to defend the state’s economic rights. “The BJP MPs elected to the Lok Sabha from Odisha never opened their mouth for this land. They failed miserably in discharging their duties towards the state and its interests.”
He further highlighted that only BJD MPs fought against and strongly opposed the amendment in the Rajya Sabha.
Expressing concern over long-term economic prospects, Naveen posed a question regarding the younger generation: “What answer will we give to our children and our future generations? What will be the future of Gen Z?”
Concluding his statement with a call to action for the public, he vowed to fight the legislative change indefinitely. “This soil is ours. These minerals are ours. Till my last breath, my fight for the rights of Odisha and the people of Odisha will continue,” he declared.
