Politics
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BJD says MMDR amendment will cut Odisha mineral taxes
ThePrint··14 Aug
The Biju Janata Dal on August 14 criticised Parliament's passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. The party said the law restricts states' power to tax mineral rights and mineral-bearing land and that Odisha would lose revenue. The Bill awaits presidential assent after both Houses cleared it on August 13.
Prism
What It Means For You
- If you live in a mining district in Odisha, BJD says the new MMDR text will cut the state's power to tax mineral land and shrink DMF works.
- Taxpayers can note the party's stated annual loss figure is Rs 12000 crore, which the Centre has not accepted in those terms.
- Anyone following federal mineral law can see the Bill still needs the President's assent before it operates as an Act.
What's Happening
- Parliament passed the MMDR Amendment Bill, 2026, on August 13. BJD issued a statement the next morning opposing it.
- The party said the amendment restricts state taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing parcels.
- Mangaraj opposed the text in the Rajya Sabha and sought a select committee, which was not accepted.
What the Mining Amendment Changes on Paper
- The 2024 Supreme Court judgment in the mineral taxation batch held that states can levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land, separate from royalty.
- Union mines minister G. Kishan Reddy has said the amendment does not take minor minerals away from states.
- BJD alleged mineral smuggling since the BJP took office in Odisha, a charge the state government has not accepted in the same terms.
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