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Bhubaneswar, 29/08: A political dispute has started between the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026. The argument centers on a series of letters exchanged between BJD President Naveen Patnaik and BJP MP Dharmendra Pradhan. 
Letter War in Odisha: Why BJD and BJP Are Fighting Over the Mining Act


BJD Questions BJP Lawmakers

The issue began when Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik wrote a letter to BJP Members of Parliament (MPs) from Odisha regarding the new law. In response, BJP MP Jual Oram stated that they did not need Patnaik's advice.
BJD spokesperson Dr. Sasmit Patra criticized this remark in a press statement. Patra said the statement shows BJP MPs prioritise their party over the state. He claimed the new mining act benefits mine owners and harms Odisha's financial interests. Patra noted that a 2014 Supreme Court ruling previously allowed Odisha to earn over Rs 1 lakh crore and an additional Rs 25,000 crore annually. He accused the 10 BJP MPs from Odisha of staying silent in Parliament when the bill passed and misleading the public now. 
Letter War in Odisha: Why BJD and BJP Are Fighting Over the Mining Act


Dharmendra Pradhan Replies to Naveen Patnaik

On August 29, BJP MP Dharmendra Pradhan sent a detailed reply to Naveen Patnaik. Pradhan accused the BJD leader of hiding facts and misguiding the public. He stated that the new act fully protects the state's revenue and economic growth.
Pradhan listed several key facts in his letter to defend the new law:
  • Revenue Remains Safe: Pradhan stated that Odisha will receive 90 percent of the total mining revenue directly. The state will keep 100 percent of the auction premium, the 15 percent royalty, and the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds.
  • Revenue Growth Under the Central Government: Before 2014, the state collected Rs 5,000 crore a year from mining. Pradhan noted that after the central government introduced reforms and e-auctions in 2015, Odisha's annual mining revenue increased to Rs 50,000 crore.
  • Limits on High Taxes: Section 9D of the new act restricts multi-level taxes. Pradhan explained that uncontrolled taxes would shut down industries in districts like Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Jharsuguda. He warned this would cause job losses and increase the cost of steel, cement, and electricity for common citizens.
  • Misuse of DMF Funds: Pradhan cited a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report to accuse the previous BJD government of mismanaging DMF funds. He said the previous government spent Rs 983 crore on 976 unaffected villages, while 584 affected villages received nothing. He also stated that 1,730 projects bypassed the local Gram Sabhas.
  • Delay in Legal Matters: Pradhan criticized the BJD for its handling of the ORISED Act. After the High Court canceled the act in 2005, the state government fought the case in the Supreme Court for 18 years instead of fixing the errors in the state assembly.
Letter War in Odisha: Why BJD and BJP Are Fighting Over the Mining Act


Pradhan ended his letter by defending the BJP MPs. He stated they voted for the bill to protect the jobs and long-term interests of the state's youth. He requested Patnaik to move past party politics and support the new mining law.