Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal has stepped up its opposition to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, alleging that the legislation could weaken Odisha’s finances and put several social security programmes under pressure.
Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan, Cuttack Mayor and BJD treasurer Subhash Singh and former MP and party General Secretary Sarmistha Sethi accused the BJP-led government of compromising Odisha’s financial interests through the amendment.
The BJD claimed Odisha could have significantly strengthened its finances if more than Rs 1 lakh crore in pending mining-related tax and levy dues had been recovered in accordance with the Supreme Court’s direction.
Singh alleged that the amendment has effectively taken away the state’s opportunity to recover its rightful revenue at a time when Odisha’s finances are already facing pressure.
He also linked the issue to the future of welfare programmes, claiming that several schemes introduced during Naveen Patnaik’s tenure are facing funding-related difficulties under the present government.
According to Singh, delays have affected pension payments, while schemes such as BSKY have been discontinued and payments under the Harishchandra Yojana have not been made on time.
The BJD also questioned the role of BJP MPs from Odisha during the passage of the legislation. Singh said the party’s 20 Lok Sabha and four Rajya Sabha MPs failed to oppose a measure that, according to the BJD, could adversely affect the state.
He further questioned why the BJP government was showing what he described as undue consideration towards mine owners.
Sethi said the amendment could push Odisha towards greater financial stress and eventually affect welfare initiatives that depend on state resources.
She claimed Odisha had moved from a revenue-deficit position to a revenue-surplus state during Patnaik’s tenure, but argued that the state’s financial indicators have since deteriorated.
The BJD cited state government figures to claim that outstanding liabilities have risen from 13% of GSDP to 14%. It also referred to a revenue-deficit figure in the earlier period, although the figures cited in the party release contain a discrepancy in the year and percentage.
Sethi maintained that the recovery of the pending mining dues would have provided substantial financial support to Odisha. She alleged that the MMDR Amendment Act has now undermined that prospect.
The BJD said the issue would have long-term implications for Odisha and accused the BJP government of putting the interests of future generations at risk.
