Bhubaneswar: The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday accused the Odisha government of curtailing the Assembly session by four days to avoid a discussion on the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act and announced a statewide agitation over the issue.
Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan here, senior BJD leaders alleged that the government decided to end the session ahead of schedule following the “massive public support” for the party’s agitation at Lower PMG on Monday demanding withdrawal of the amended law.
The party also thanked people of Odisha for their support to the agitation.
BJD leaders claimed that the amended MMDR Act would cause an estimated loss of Rs 1 lakh crore to Odisha in mining-tax arrears and an annual revenue loss of around Rs 12,000 crore. They said the party had sought a discussion on the issue in the Assembly, but the government did not accept its proposals.
The leaders said the BJP government had maintained that the amended law would benefit Odisha rather than cause losses. The BJD claimed it had even offered to participate in a discussion if the government brought a motion supporting the amended legislation.
The opposition party criticised the early conclusion of the session, saying an issue concerning the state’s interests had been left without a debate in the Assembly.
The BJD said it would continue its agitation until a discussion on the amended MMDR Act is held in the Assembly and announced a statewide campaign on the issue.
Former minister and MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo, former minister Tukuni Sahoo, party spokesperson Lenin Mohanty, Biju Yuva Janata Dal president Chinmay Kumar Sahoo and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal president Ipsita Sahoo attended the press conference.
