Bhubaneswar: Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Shri Naveen Patnaik has written a formal letter to Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi expressing grave concern over the recent passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 by Parliament. In his communication dated August 14, 2026, the Biju Janata Dal leader cited specific provisions of the legislation that he argued pose a serious threat to Odisha’s fiscal autonomy and constitutional rights over its natural resources.
The letter highlights several provisions in the newly passed amendment that directly infringe upon state financial rights and land jurisdiction. Section 2 of the Act expands central control to encompass mineral-bearing lands alongside the regulation of mines. Furthermore, Section 9D explicitly prohibits state governments from levying any tax, cess, or similar levy on mineral rights or mineral-bearing lands unless permitted under conditions set by the central government. Section 13 delegates sole authority to the Centre to frame rules restricting the tax-levying powers of state governments.
Shri Patnaik emphasized that revenues derived from mining operations play a vital role in funding education, healthcare, social welfare schemes, and infrastructure projects across Odisha. He noted that stripping the state of its taxation authority deals a heavy blow to federalism and revenue independence. If the central government usurps control over mineral-bearing lands, Odisha will be left bearing the ecological and social burdens of mining such as environmental pollution and population displacement, while losing the economic benefits generated from its own natural wealth.
To safeguard state interests, Patnaik urged Chief Minister Shri Majhi to take two immediate steps. First, he called for an urgent all-party meeting to build a unified political consensus on protecting federal rights and state mineral revenues. Second, he demanded a special session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly to formally pass a unanimous resolution opposing the Amendment Act and protesting the central encroachment on state jurisdiction.
The issue follows strong objections raised by Biju Janata Dal lawmakers during parliamentary proceedings in the Rajya Sabha, where opposition leaders criticized the bill for infringing upon state financial rights. Patnaik concluded by urging the chief minister to act swiftly in the interest of the people of Odisha, stating that fiscal autonomy remains a foundational principle of the federal structure.