Naveen Patnaik Presses CM Majhi for Special Session on MMDR Act
Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has once again urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to convene a special session of the Odisha Assembly to pass a unanimous resolution against the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026.
Patnaik argued that the amendment strips Odisha of its constitutional right to levy taxes on mineral wealth, overturning a Supreme Court ruling that had upheld the state’s taxing powers.
He warned that the state stands to lose nearly ₹12,000 crore annually, a revenue stream critical for Odisha’s development and youth welfare.
The BJD chief accused BJP MPs of siding with mine owners instead of protecting Odisha’s interests.
He pledged his party’s support if the CM calls a special session, framing the issue as a test of unity in safeguarding the state’s constitutional rights.
Meanwhile, the Union government maintains that states already receive substantial mining revenue through royalty, auction premiums, DMF contributions, and GST shares.
BJP leaders have dismissed Patnaik’s ₹12,000 crore loss claim as exaggerated.
With other mineral‑rich states also considering constitutional challenges, Odisha’s political landscape now hinges on whether the ruling BJP and opposition BJD can unite to defend the state’s fiscal autonomy.
