The Odisha government rejected the opposition’s demand for a special session of the assembly on the mining bill

The demand for a special session was raised by Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik and Congress Legislature Party leader Ram Chandra Kadam. File | Photo credit: ANI

The Odisha government has rejected the demand of the opposition BJD and the Congress to convene a special session of the Assembly to discuss the amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, which was recently passed by Parliament.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling on Sunday (August 23, 2026) said there was no need for a special session as the issue could be discussed during the upcoming monsoon session to be convened soon.

The demand for a special session was raised by Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik and Congress Legislature Party leader Ram Chandra Kadam.

BJP lawmakers compromised Odisha’s interest by supporting changes in mining law: BJD

Describing the proposed mining legislation as “anti-Odish” and harmful to the state’s interests, the two leaders wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and sought a special session and an all-party meeting on the issue.

The Congress criticized the BJP government for rejecting the demand for a special session.

“It is very unfortunate that the minister rejected Congress’s demand for a special session on the MMDR bill. The state will lose about ₹ 10,000 crore annually in revenue and will also have to bear arrears loss of crores of rupees,” said Congress vice-president Santosh Singh Saluja.

The Congress leader alleged that after coming to power in the state, the Center was trying to gain control over Odisha’s natural resources, including water, forests, land and minerals, in the name of “Odia Asmita” (odia pride).

Congress whip Razen Ekka said, “Demonstrations will be held across the state, from the state capital to gram panchayats, and houses of all BJP MPs will also be ransacked in the coming days.” Describing the BJP as a “party of businessmen”, the BJD questioned the alleged silence of its 25 MPs from Odisha – 20 in the Lok Sabha and five in the Rajya Sabha – during the passage of the MMDR amendment in Parliament.

Speaking at a press conference, BJD senior general secretary Pritiranjan Gharai said the bill was passed in Parliament without any discussion.

“This will cause massive losses to Odisha. Revenue from all mines in the state will come under the control of the central government,” he said.

Published – 24 Aug 2026 10:20 AM IST