Odisha Congress Demands Special Assembly on ‘Dark Act’ MMDR‑2026
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Congress has intensified its opposition to the recently enacted Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026 (MMDR‑2026), branding it a “Dark Act” that undermines the state’s constitutional and fiscal autonomy.
On Friday, Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Ramachandra Kadam, accompanied by party MLAs, submitted a memorandum to Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampat.
The memorandum urged the Governor to convene a two‑day Special Session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly to deliberate on the implications of the Act.
The Congress argued that MMDR‑2026 centralises control over mineral allocation, lease renewals, and revenue sharing, stripping Odisha of its legislative competence and fiscal independence.
The party further warned that the Act bypasses constitutional safeguards for tribal communities, particularly in mining hubs under the Fifth Schedule, by ignoring the requirement of Gram Sabha and Tribal Advisory Council consent.
Calling the Governor’s intervention “crucial,” the Congress emphasised that Odisha’s mineral wealth must remain under the state’s jurisdiction to protect federal rights, tribal interests, and fiscal autonomy.
