BHUBANESWAR: Dharmendra Pradhan, a former Union minister and MP for Sambalpur, criticized the Leader of the Opposition and BJD president Naveen Patnaik on Thursday. Pradhan accused Patnaik of deceiving the people of Odisha regarding the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, for his own political advantage.
In response to Patnaik’s assertion that the Bill would negatively impact the state’s economy, Pradhan countered that the amendment would actually safeguard the nation’s mineral resources and enhance the economic prospects of mineral-rich regions like Odisha.
Pradhan dismissed the BJD chief’s assertions as false, noting that various states currently impose 14 different forms of excessive taxes on mining operations. He explained that Section 9D of the revised Bill establishes a clear cap to alleviate the burdensome multi-level tax system while still preserving essential revenue for the states.
“Due to the weight of outstanding taxes, many mining companies are at risk of shutting down. This Bill eliminates the fear of mine and factory closures in areas like Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Angul, and Jajpur, thereby protecting the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of young people,” Pradhan stated.
The former Union minister emphasized that implementing a standardized mining tax policy throughout the country would enhance the business climate and strengthen the states’ financial conditions. He highlighted that this is the reason all BJP MPs backed the Bill in Parliament.
