‘Mining Bill a blow to Odisha’s fiscal autonomy’: BJD chief asks Majhi to convene all-party meet

Bhubaneshwar, Mar 16 (ANI): Former Chief Minister of Odisha and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Naveen Patnaik speaks to media, in Bhubaneshwar on Monday. (ANI Video Grab) | Photo Credit: ANI Former Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik on Friday demanded a special session of the Assembly to voice dissent against the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which was passed by Parliament on Thursday. Mr. Patnaik said the Bill usurps Odisha’s fiscal autonomy and termed it a “threat” to the State’s constitutional rights over its resources.In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday, the senior Opposition leader stated that provisions in the Bill would “disproportionately impact” mineral-rich States such as Odisha, leading to “mas