India
Archived — This article has been archived. The information may be outdated.
Patnaik says MMDR changes cost Odisha Rs 12,000 crore
The Indian Express··29 Aug
BJD president Naveen Patnaik urged Odisha BJP MPs to reverse Mines and Minerals Act amendments. He said Lok Sabha cleared the Bill in less than ten minutes. Patnaik called it a black day for Odisha and put annual losses above Rs 12,000 crore. He said the state holds nearly 44 percent of India's mineral wealth and lost mineral-land control.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Odisha residents dependent on mining-linked revenue face Patnaik's projected annual hit above Rs 12,000 crore if his estimate holds.
- State BJP MPs are being asked in writing to reverse the August 13 amendments.
- Patnaik had earlier sought a special Assembly session on the law's impact.
What's Happening
- Patnaik said Odisha MPs voted for the bill despite being elected to protect state interests.
- He described the legislation as an injustice to children and youth whose futures link to state resources.
- Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan earlier said Patnaik was misleading people and that the law would benefit Odisha.
What Patnaik Claims Odisha Contributed
- He said Odisha fed India's steel, power, mining and infrastructure sectors for decades.
- The letter argues pollution, displacement and mining hazards fall on Odisha's people.
- The amendments cleared Parliament on August 13.
all-news
