BJD Slams BJP Over MMDR Amendment Act, Calls It “Black Law” Against Odisha

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the Centre of depriving Odisha of its rightful mineral revenue through the MMDR Amendment Act.

Senior BJD leaders Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Dr Lenin Mohanty alleged that Odisha is losing Rs 12,000 crore annually in mining revenue, alongside Rs 1 lakh crore in unpaid taxes, due to the amendment.

They argued that the BJP’s “Double Engine” government favours mine owners over the people of Odisha.

Highlighting past achievements, the leaders noted that under Naveen Patnaik’s leadership, Odisha recovered Rs 16,000 crore in mining dues between 2021 and 2023, while Jharkhand recovered Rs 42,000 crore.

They criticised the Centre for ignoring the Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling, which reaffirmed states’ rights over mines and taxation.

The BJD vowed to intensify its opposition, branding the amendment a “black law” and calling the BJP government an “enemy of Odisha.”