Mining Reforms / Dharmendra Pradhan Defends MMDR Act 2026, Rebuts Naveen’s Claims

Bhubaneswar, Aug 29: Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday strongly rebutted Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik’s criticism of the MMDR Amendment Act, 2026, terming the apprehensions ‘misleading’ and urging support for what he described as a historic reform in India’s mining sector.

MMDR ସଂଶୋଧନ ବିଲ୍, ୨୦୨୬ କୁ ନେଇ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ବିରୋଧୀ ଦଳ ନେତା @Naveen_Odisha ଲେଖିଥିବା ଚିଠିପଢ଼ିବା ପରେ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ଲାଗୁଛି, ସତ୍ୟକୁ ଲୁଚାଇ ମିଛରେ ଭୟ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କରି ଓଡ଼ିଶାବାସୀଙ୍କୁ ବିଭ୍ରାନ୍ତ କରିବା ଉଚିତ୍ କି ? ସତ୍ୟ କଥା ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଆପଣଙ୍କର ସଙ୍କୋଚ କାହିଁକି?

MMDR ସଂଶୋଧନ ଆଇନ ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ… pic.twitter.com/zyZHjsvt4b

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 29, 2026

Pradhan’s Counter to Opposition

Responding to Patnaik’s letter to Odisha MPs, Pradhan said hiding facts and creating fear among citizens was unacceptable. He stressed that the new law ensures nearly 90 per cent of mining revenue flows directly into the state treasury, safeguarding Odisha’s fiscal interests while boosting infrastructure, industrial growth, and employment.

Revenue Growth Under Reforms

Pradhan highlighted that Odisha’s mining revenue, which stood at just Rs5,000 crore annually before 2014, has surged to Rs50,000 crore under the Modi government’s transparent e‑auction policy introduced in 2015. He noted that royalty rates were raised from 10 to 15 per cent, significantly enhancing state income.

Safeguarding Industry and Jobs

The Sambalpur MP pointed to Section 9D of the Act, which caps arbitrary levies, thereby preventing shutdowns in key industrial belts such as Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Angul, and Jajpur. By stabilising raw material costs, he argued, the law protects steel, cement, and power prices, offering relief to middle‑class families while securing lakhs of jobs.

DMF Funds and Accountability

Pradhan also cited figures showing Odisha has received over Rs37,000 crore through the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) since 2015 for mining‑affected areas. He criticised the previous BJD government for misallocating funds, citing CAG reports that revealed spending in unaffected villages while neglecting genuinely impacted communities.
Also Read: Dharmendra Pradhan Thanks PM Modi, Vaishnaw for Rs9,450-Cr Rail Projects In Odisha

Call for Bipartisan Support

Pradhan urged opposition leaders to rise above partisan politics and back the legislation, which he said strengthens both national development and Odisha’s economic future. “Odisha’s MPs have supported the Bill in Parliament for the larger interests of the state, industry, and youth employment,” he asserted.