Full Breakdown
Naveen Patnaik Leads Statewide Protest Against MMDR Amendment Act
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Core Event
On September 28, 2026, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik addressed a rally outside the Odisha Legislative Assembly in Bhubaneswar. He urged parties and citizens to block the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, warning that it would “snatch” Odisha’s rights over its land and resources.
Background & Context
The amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 was passed by Parliament on August 13, 2026. It limits states’ ability to levy taxes on mineral rights and shifts greater regulatory control to the centre. The Ministry of Mines presents it as a measure to provide “certainty and predictability” for mining investments and to support national initiatives such as *Aatmanirbhar Bharat* and *Viksit Bharat 2047*.
Data & Statistics
Official Statements & Responses
Patnaik said he wrote twice to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi requesting a special assembly session and a resolution opposing the amendment, but received no reply. He accused the state government and the 20 Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MPs from Odisha of remaining silent, questioning “in whose interest” they acted.
On-the-Ground Reports
The rally began in the morning at Lower PMG Square. Attendees chanted “Naveen Patnaik Zindabad,” waved white flags, and listened to speeches from senior BJD leaders, including vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra and former bureaucrat-turned-politician Sujata Rout Karthikeyan. The gathering was described as the largest BJD protest in two years, reflecting concern over the amendment’s fiscal impact.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the projected financial impact. Patnaik cites “thousands of crores” in annual loss, while BJD insiders quote Rs 1 lakh crore arrears and Rs 12,000 crore annual revenue loss. The Ministry of Mines maintains that state tax revenues will largely remain unchanged. No independent audit or third-party economic analysis has been presented, leaving the true fiscal consequence uncertain.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This new legislation seeks to snatch Odisha’s rights over its land and resources. Therefore, I will fight against the MMDR Act until my last breath,” — Naveen Patnaik
- “MMDR is not an ordinary Bill, it is associated with the rights of the state. Sadly, such an important Bill was passed in Parliament without any discussion. In whose interest did the 20 BJP Lok Sabha MPs (from Odisha) remain silent? The state government remained silent. Whom do they fear?” — Naveen Patnaik
- “This is the wrath of the people of Odisha. The state has 44% mineral resources of the country. We will be losing immensely by the enactment of the MMDR Amendment Act, which has taken away the power of the state in mining areas,” — Debi Prasad Mishra
- “For 20 years, the BJD, under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, fought a legal battle in the Courts for the Constitutional rights of Odisha and for the progress and development of the state.” — Sujata Rout Karthikeyan