The dispute disrupted the Odisha Assembly for a fourth day on Friday. BJD and Congress legislators wearing black scarves called for the amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act to be repealed, and proceedings were adjourned until 4 p.m.
Patnaik, the BJD chief and a former chief minister, questioned why the party should blame others when all 20 BJP members of Parliament representing Odisha supported the bill in the Lok Sabha. He said the state government should pause and examine the law, arguing that it could reduce Odisha’s revenue.
Parliament passed the amended law in August. It gives the Centre authority over regulation of mineral-bearing lands under parameters set out in the legislation. Opposition parties in Odisha say the change weakens mineral-rich states’ rights and financial autonomy. BJP representatives from the state have argued that the law will benefit states, including Odisha, and could encourage economic activity.
BJD vice-president Pratap Jena has claimed Odisha could lose more than ₹1 lakh crore and forgo ₹12,000 crore a year in mining revenue. Those figures are the party’s estimate. Jena linked the dispute to a July 2024 Supreme Court Constitution Bench ruling that states could impose taxes and levies on mines and minerals. BJD members in the Rajya Sabha opposed the amendment, while the party is now seeking to press its case through the planned Assembly rally.