Bhubaneswar: The INDIA bloc Tuesday held a massive demonstration here demanding rollback of the MMDR Amendment Act, describing it as “anti-Odisha” and “anti-tribal.”
The agitation was part of the statewide call given by the INDIA bloc to observe August 25 as a “Resistance Day” to protect Odisha’s mineral resources, economic interests, constitutional rights and the rights of the people of the state.
Parliament earlier this month passed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to restrict states’ powers to levy taxes on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands. It later became an Act following Presidential assent.
On Tuesday, hundreds of leaders and supporters of the constituent parties assembled at the Mahatma Gandhi Marg area here and raised their voices against the Act.
The rally witnessed participation from the members of the Congress, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation, All India Forward Bloc, NCP-Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party and the RJD.
Addressing the gathering, the speakers asserted that Odisha’s mineral resources are the collective wealth of the people of the state, and they are intrinsically linked with its economy, public revenue, industrial development, employment and the livelihoods of millions.
“Any attempt to weaken the rights and interests of the state over these resources while expanding centralised control amounts to a direct attack on Odisha’s economic interests, federal rights and constitutional position,” said CPI(M) state secretary Suresh Panigrahy.
The speakers of various parties also alleged that the MMDR Act, 2026 seeks to further centralise control over Odisha’s mineral resources and could seriously undermine the state’s revenue interests, federal rights and the rights and livelihoods of people living in mining and mineral-rich areas.
Such centralisation, they warned, would deprive the mineral-producing states of their legitimate role and weaken the constitutional principle of federalism.
The speakers said the mineral wealth of Odisha cannot be treated as an unrestricted resource for centralised control or corporate exploitation at the expense of the state and its people.
They also demanded that the interests and rights of tribal communities, mining-affected people, workers and local communities be safeguarded in all decisions relating to mineral resources.
The leaders warned that the movement would be intensified and expanded across Odisha if the “anti-Odisha provisions” of the Act are not withdrawn.
While announcing to intensify the stir, the INDIA bloc parties announced that a state-level convention will be held here September 9 to chalk out a broader statewide course of action like a proposal to go for an economic blockade in mineral-bearing districts and a statewide Odisha bandh.
Orissa POST – Odisha’s No.1 English Daily
