Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Legislative Assembly and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Sunday urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to convene a special session of the Assembly and pass a unanimous resolution seeking the repeal of the recently passed amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act.
In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Majhi, Patnaik said the amendment could have significant financial implications for Odisha and alleged that it effectively curtails the State’s constitutional right to levy taxes on mineral wealth and mineral-bearing lands.
Patnaik recalled the prolonged legal battle over the State’s taxation powers concerning minerals. He said the BJD government had fought the matter in the High Court and the Supreme Court for several years, and noted that the present Odisha government had also placed the State’s position before the Supreme Court.
Referring to the nine-Judge Constitution Bench judgment of the Supreme Court, Patnaik said the verdict upheld Odisha’s position against the claims raised by mining companies. According to him, the judgment had opened the way for the recovery of substantial past dues and could provide Odisha with recurring revenue of nearly Rs 12,000 crore annually.
“For Odisha, this judgment opened the way for recovery of crores of rupees in past dues and a minimum recurring revenue of nearly Rs 12,000 crore every year. This revenue has profound financial implications for Odisha’s development and for securing a better future for our youth,” the letter read.
The BJD president said the potential revenue had important implications for Odisha’s development and the future of its youth. He also said that discussions had reportedly been held at the government level on how the resources arising from the Supreme Court judgment could be utilised for the people of the State.
Patnaik expressed strong opposition to the subsequent MMDR Amendment passed by Parliament, alleging that it would take away the State’s constitutional right to impose taxes on its mineral resources. He also criticised the BJP MPs from Odisha who supported the amendment, alleging that their position was contrary to the interests of the State.
“20 BJP MPs supported this amendment against the people of Odisha. This is what the mine owners wanted and had been fighting for,” the letter further read.
Calling for a special session of the Odisha Assembly, Patnaik urged the Chief Minister to bring a resolution seeking the repeal of the amendment. He said such a resolution would reaffirm Odisha’s constitutional rights and demonstrate the State’s resolve to protect its financial interests.
“The BJD will always stand with you in matters relating to the rights of Odisha and the future of our youth,” Patnaik said in the letter, while appealing to the government to come together on the issue.
Patnaik further urged the Chief Minister to take up the matter in the larger interest of Odisha and seek reversal of the amendment by the Centre.
