BJD challenges BJP to open debate over MMDR Bill, slams ex-Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Bhubaneswar, Aug 21 (IANS) The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in Odisha on Friday targeted former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government over the recently passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, challenging the ruling party to an open debate.

At a press conference held at Sankha Bhawan here, former Minister and MLA Dr Arun Sahoo and Senior BJD General Secretary Bhrugu Baxipatra stated that the Bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha without any discussion, would cause extensive losses not only to Odisha but also to all mineral-rich states across the country.

Sahoo said that every State has legal and constitutional rights over its mines and mineral resources. In July 2024, a nine-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court had examined the issue and held that States have rights over mines and mineral-bearing lands and, therefore, States can impose levies and taxes on minerals. In the same judgment, the Supreme Court had stated that States could recover outstanding taxes from mining companies with effect from April 1, 2005.

“Accordingly, it was estimated that Odisha alone could recover around Rs 1.5 lakh crore as arrears. In addition, it was estimated that the state could earn additional Rs 12,000 crore annually in mining revenue. However, through the MMDR Amendment Bill, the Central Government has taken away Odisha’s legitimate entitlement,” alleged Sahoo.

Sahoo also criticised the 20 Lok Sabha and five Rajya Sabha MPs from the BJP representing Odisha for supporting the legislation. Rejecting BJP MP Dharmendra Pradhan’s claim that Naveen Patnaik was misleading the public over the Bill’s financial impact on Odisha, the senior BJD leader highlighted how the former chief minister turned the state from revenue-stressed in 2000 into a fiscal success story by 2024.

“Revenue generated from the mining sector played an important role in the development of the State. Unfortunately, after bringing in the MMDR Amendment Bill, the BJP Government has sacrificed the interests of Odisha and handed over the power to collect taxes from the mining sector to the Central Government,” alleged Sahoo.

Meanwhile, BJD leader Baxipatra said that ex-union minister Pradhan’s statement that Odisha would not suffer any loss because of the MMDR Amendment Bill was far removed from reality. He emphasised that the BJD will strongly oppose this arbitrary law and intensify its struggle in the coming days in the interest of Odisha and its people.

–IANS

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