Odisha Congress Calls Statewide Bandh on October 8 Against MMDR Act
The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has announced a statewide bandh on October 8, 2026, to protest the recently amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act).
OPCC President Bhakta Charan Das alleged that the amendment strips Odisha of its fiscal autonomy over mineral resources, potentially causing an estimated ₹12,000 crore annual revenue loss.
He further warned that outstanding dues from mining companies may remain unresolved under the new framework.
The Congress, backed by INDIA Bloc partners, plans rallies, demonstrations, and economic blockades in mining belts to disrupt extraction and transport.
The party has also demanded a special session of the Odisha Assembly to safeguard the state’s rights over its natural resources.
The bandh is expected to intensify political debate in Odisha, where mineral revenue plays a crucial role in state development.
