Bhubaneswar: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik on Monday declared that the party will continue its protest against Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act until the legislation is withdrawn.
The former chief minister was addressing a massive protest staged by BJD at Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar against the MMDR Amendment. A large number of BJD leaders and workers marched towards the Odisha Assembly building as part of the demonstration.
Describing the protest as a fight to safeguard the interest of Odisha and its people the BJD chief said the party is fighting for the future of the younger generation.
Naveen, who is also the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Odisha Assembly, said the MMDR Amendment Act is not an ordinary piece of legislation as it is directly linked to the rights of the state over its mineral resources. The people of Odisha are the rightful owners of the state’s mines and minerals, he said.
Terming the passage of such an important bill in Parliament without adequate discussion as unfortunate, the BJD supremo questioned the role of the BJP MPs from Odisha and the state government over the legislation.
The LoP also said he had written to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi seeking a special discussion on the issue in the Assembly. He said that he had also requested the government to bring a resolution opposing the legislation, but received no response.
The BJD chief said Odisha will suffer losses running into thousands of crores of rupees every year because of the amended law. The BJD had previously alleged that the amendments weaken the powers of states over mines and mineral-bearing land and could adversely affect Odisha’s revenue.
“Party can never be bigger than motherland,” he said, urging political parties across the state to join the movement.
He said the BJD will continue its fight for Odisha’s rights and urged people to remain united on the issue.
The BJD had earlier announced that the September 28 protest would mark the beginning of a wider statewide agitation against the issue.
The demonstration saw an overwhelming turnout, highlighted by a tribal procession near the state Assembly. Traditional dancers, accompanied by folk instruments and authentic attire, welcomed the BJD Supremo. Senior party leaders, legislators, former ministers, and scores of grassroots party workers converged to denounce the legislation, dubbing it a “Black Law” that directly undermines Odisha’s financial autonomy and regional rights.
