Odisha Janata Congress Plans Massive Protest Against MMDR Act, 2026
OJC demands withdrawal of law, alleges curtailment of State’s financial powers
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Janata Congress (OJC) on Sunday announced a massive protest at Chandikhole in Jajpur district on September 8 against the recently enacted MMDR Act, 2026, alleging that several provisions of the law would severely curtail Odisha’s financial powers and cause huge revenue losses to the State.
At a press conference here on Sunday, OJC Media Cell chairman Prashant Satpathy said the party would organise a protest meeting and an “economic blockade” at Chandikhol under the leadership of party president Mohammad Moquim.
Mr Satpathy alleged that the new law was against the interests of mineral-rich provinces such as Odisha and would deprive the state of substantial revenue. He claimed that Section 9D of the amended law would not only affect Odisha’s ability to recover its old dues, allegedly exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore, but also restrict its power to levy taxes, cess and royalties on mineral resources.
According to the OJC, the law has taken away powers that states had exercised over mineral-bearing land. The party referred to the Supreme Court’s 2024 judgment, which, it said, had recognised the States’ power to levy taxes on mineral resources and enabled recovery of past dues in instalments over 12 years from April 1, 2026.
The OJC alleged that the new legislation had effectively curtailed three key financial powers of Odisha—recovery of past dues, imposition of new taxes and independent decision-making over its mineral resources.
The party also criticised the BJP-led state government and Odisha’s 20 BJP MPs for allegedly remaining silent on the issue in Parliament.
Mr Satpathy further alleged that BJP leaders, including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, had supported the Orissa Rural Infrastructure and Socio-Economic Development (ORISED) Act during the BJP-BJD coalition government in 2004.
OJC general secretary Subhendu Mallick, vice-presidents Nikunja Pasayat and Najibur Rahman Khan, Seva Sangathan president Manoj Jena and Kisan Morcha president Sangram Majhi were present at the press conference.
