Bhubaneswar, Sep 24 Odisha’s opposition BJD on Thursday said party president Naveen Patnaik would take part in a “massive rally” outside the assembly on September 28 to protest against the amended MMDR Act.
The party made the announcement at a press conference addressed by senior vice-president Debi Prasad Mishra and other BJD leaders, who termed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act a “black law”.
“Through the Act, the central government has taken away the rights of states over mines and mineral-bearing lands, which is an attack on the federal structure of the country. Since Odisha possesses 44 per cent of the total mineral resources available in the country, the state will suffer the maximum loss due to this amended law,” Mishra told reporters.
Mishra said it was also unfortunate that state BJP leaders have been arguing that Odisha will benefit from it, rather than suffer losses.
To demand the Act’s withdrawal, the BJD will organise a massive protest meeting on September 28, he said.
“On July 25, 2024, a nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court ruled that state governments could impose taxes and levies on mines and minerals. This created an opportunity for Odisha to receive Rs 1 lakh crore towards arrears, and Rs 12,000 crore annually as revenue from mining. However, due to the implementation of the Act, this opportunity has now been lost,” BJD vice-president Pratap Jena said.
MLA Arun Kumar Sahu, speaking on the occasion, said a statewide agitation and economic blockade will be undertaken against the amended mining law.
Noted tribal leader and former minister Sudam Marandi said that most of the mining areas are inhabited by tribals. “The manner in which the Centre unilaterally amended this law will certainly have an adverse impact on the way of life of tribal people,” he said.
(PTI News)
