Bhubaneswar: After BJD, Congress on Saturday demanded that the state govt convene a special session of the assembly to discuss and oppose the recently enacted Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, alleging that the legislation would undermine the state’s economic interests and erode its rights over mineral resources.Leader of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) and Pottangi MLA Rama Chandra Kadam has written to Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, urging him to facilitate the immediate convening of a two-day special session of Odisha legislative assembly to deliberate on the new law and adopt a resolution against it. Kadam has sent similar communications to chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi and speaker Surama Padhy.In his letter, Kadam described the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, as a “dark Act” and alleged that it strikes at the foundations of cooperative federalism by centralising powers related to mineral allocation, revenue control and lease renewals. He claimed the legislation would reduce Odisha to a “passive spectator” despite being one of India’s most mineral-rich states.The CLP leader further contended that the law bypasses constitutional safeguards applicable to tribal areas, particularly in Fifth Schedule regions, and dilutes the provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, and the Forest Rights Act, 2006. He also alleged that the amendment curtails the state’s autonomy over the utilisation of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds meant for mining-affected communities.Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati said that they oppose the MMDR Bill. “We have urged the governor to convene a two-day special session of the Odisha Assembly to discuss about the enactment of the Act,” he said.The Congress move comes days after leader of opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik called upon the people of Odisha to stand united against enactment of the Act. Patnaik alleged that the amended MMDR law would severely hurt Odisha’s finances, diminish the state’s rights over mineral resources and make Odisha increasingly dependent on the Centre. He warned that the state could lose thousands of crores of rupees annually in mineral-related revenues and described the development as a threat to Odisha’s economic future.However, senior BJP leader and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan rejected the opposition’s criticism, maintaining that the MMDR Amendment Act would not deprive Odisha of its legitimate revenues. He said the state would continue to receive royalty, auction premium and DMF proceeds, while the legislation would create a uniform taxation framework, improve ease of doing business and provide certainty for the mining sector.Responding to opposition BJD and Congress, BJP state general secretary Biranchi Narayan Tripathy accused the parties of misleading the people of Odisha with false and distorted information. “The opposition is highlighting imaginary losses while concealing the benefits Odisha stands to gain. Similar misinformation was spread during the introduction of GST, but Odisha’s revenues increased substantially thereafter,” he said. Tripathy also accused the previous BJD govt of presiding over irregularities in the mining sector and alleged that Naveen Patnaik’s govt failed to address the issues highlighted in mining-related investigations and court proceedings.
