BJD urges President to block 2026 mines law amendment

The Biju Janata Dal has escalated its opposition to the Centre's mining law amendments by seeking the President's intervention to reverse the contentious Mines and Minerals Amendment Act 2026. The party contends the legislation threatens Odisha's fiscal interests significantly.

According to BJD calculations, the state stands to lose over ₹1 lakh crore in accumulated arrears if the amended provisions are implemented. Additionally, Odisha faces a potential annual revenue shortfall of approximately ₹12,000 crore, according to party assessments of the legislation's impact on mining royalties and mineral-based revenues.

The BJD's appeal to the President represents an attempt to challenge the amendment through constitutional channels rather than legislative ones. The party has positioned the issue as one affecting the state's developmental capacity and economic sustainability, given Odisha's dependence on mining-related revenues.

The amendment has emerged as a significant point of contention between state and central governments, with the BJD arguing that the legislative changes undermine Odisha's rights over mineral resources and the financial benefits accruing from them. The party's move to involve the President's office signals the intensity of opposition to what it views as a detrimental policy framework for mineral-rich states.