Odisha BJP MPs are being urged The law's passage has been described as a 'black day' for Odisha

Odisha accounts for nearly 44% of India's mineral wealth, and the law is expected to have a significant impact on the state's economy. Patnaik argued that the amendments would take control over Odisha's own minerals and mineral-bearing lands away from the state, despite its immense contribution to the country's steel, power, mining, and infrastructure sectors for decades.

Odisha's Mineral Wealth at Stake

Patnaik called on BJP MPs to seek reversal of the amendments, stating that they had failed to protect the interests of Odisha's people. The BJD chief also claimed that the law was an injustice to the state's children and youth, whose future is linked to the resources and opportunities of Odisha.

Patnaik argued that the amendments would have far-reaching adverse implications for Odisha's people, who bear the pollution, displacement, environmental degradation, and hazards associated with mining. He also stated that it is an injustice to the dream of an empowered Odisha, which has the confidence and resources to determine its own future.

Former Union Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan had earlier criticised Patnaik for trying to mislead people over the MMDR law, stating that it would benefit Odisha. However, Patnaik dismissed this claim, saying that the law is an arbitrary legislation that would have adverse implications for Odisha's people.

BJP MPs under Pressure

The passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) law has sparked controversy in Odisha, with BJD President Naveen Patnaik calling it a 'black day' for the state. BJP MPs are now under pressure to seek reversal of the amendments, which could have significant implications for Odisha's mineral wealth and people.

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Calling the passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) law in Parliament a “black day” for Odisha, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik on Saturday urged Odisha BJP MPs to seek reversal of the amendments. “The Bill was passed with less than ten minutes of discussion in the Lok Sabha, despite having provisions with far-reaching implications for the people of Odisha.

This was not an ordinary piece of legislation. Odisha undoubtedly will be the worst affected As Odisha accounts for nearly 44% of India's mineral wealth, Patnaik, the former Odisha CM, said the state has contributed its mineral wealth to the building of India's steel, power, mining and infrastructure sectors for decades.

India stands taller and stronger today because of the immense contribution made Due to the amendment of the MMDR Act – passed Must Read | On mines and minerals, Centre-state compromise is in tatters “But the bigger loss is that in a single legislative stroke the control over our own minerals and our mineral-bearing lands was taken away from us. And this happened under your watch,” he added.

Patnaik, who earlier sought a special session of the state assembly to discuss the amendment’s impact on Odisha, said the law is an injustice to the state’s children and the youth, whose future is linked to the resources and opportunities of this State. “It is an injustice to the people of Odisha who bear the pollution, displacement, environmental degradation and the hazards and hardships of mining.

And, above all, it is an injustice to the dream of an empowered Odisha, that has the confidence and resources to determine its own future,” he added. Calling the MPs the voice of Odisha in this highest forum of democracy, the BJD chief said the people of Odisha elected the MPs in good faith to protect and further their interests, but it’s a matter of concern that they voted in favour of the bill.

Patnaik said the “arbitrary legislation” will have far-reaching adverse implications for the people of Odisha who put their trust in you. Earlier, former Union minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan criticised Patnaik for trying to mislead people over the MMDR law and said it would benefit Odisha.