Bhubaneswar, Aug 25 (IANS) Opposition parties under the INDIA bloc on Tuesday staged a massive protest in Bhubaneswar demanding the withdrawal of the recently passed Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2026, alleging that the legislation would cause huge financial losses to Odisha.
As part of the protest, a massive procession was taken out from Congress Bhawan and proceeded towards Lower PMG, where leaders and workers of various opposition parties staged a demonstration.
The protestors alleged that despite Odisha being endowed with abundant natural resources, the Centre’s policies towards the state have remained discriminatory. They also criticised the Central Government over the education system and accused it of failing to address the interests of the state.
The opposition leaders claimed that the recent amendment to the MMDR Act would deprive Odisha of revenue amounting to lakhs of crores of rupees.
They also targeted the Odisha government for allegedly maintaining silence instead of opposing the legislation. Addressing the gathering, the leaders demanded immediate withdrawal of the MMDR Bill, terming it anti-people and against the interests of Odisha.
They said the opposition parties would not compromise on the issue and warned of intensifying the agitation if the Centre failed to reconsider the legislation.
Later, the protestors burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah as a mark of protest.
The leaders reiterated that the opposition parties would continue their agitation to safeguard Odisha’s interests and protect the state’s share of revenue from its mineral resources.
Meanwhile, the Congress party in a press conference held here on Tuesday strongly opposed the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026.
Addressing the media persons, senior Congress leader Prasad Kumar Harichandan said, “MMDR Amendment Act, 2026 is a direct attack on cooperative federalism and the financial rights of mineral-rich states. The Congress party completely opposes the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026. As the law has already received the President’s assent, our demand is now clear and firm: The Central Government should withdraw and repeal this law and restore the constitutional and financial rights of the states.”
–IANS
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