Bargarh MP Accuses Naveen Patnaik of Misleading People on Mining Law
Bargarh MP Pradip Purohit accused Naveen Patnaik of misleading people over the amended Mines and Minerals Act, citing revenue protection and past mineral resource losses.
BARGARH: A day after BJD president Naveen Patnaik urged the BJP MPs of Odisha to seek reversal of the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, Bargarh MP Pradip Purohit hit back at the former chief minister, accusing him of presenting a misleading picture of the legislation and questioning the previous government’s record in managing the state’s mineral resources. In a letter to Naveen on Sunday, Purohit said it was ‘ironic’ that the former chief minister was speaking about parliamentary dignity and the conscience of MPs while, according to him, the BJD had protected an era of arbitrary resource allocation and mining irregularities during its nearly 24‑year rule.
What did Purohit say about the MMDR amendments? Purohit rejected Naveen’s claim that the MMDR amendments would cause Odisha an annual revenue loss of around Rs 12,000 crore. He said the state’s revenues from auction premiums, statutory royalty and district mineral foundation (DMF) collections would remain protected and flow directly to the state exchequer. He also credited the BJP‑led Centre with making DMF mandatory to ensure that mining revenues benefit affected rural and tribal areas. Purohit added that the protection of these revenue streams would safeguard the state’s finances despite the opposition’s concerns.
What did he allege about past mineral resource management? Purohit questioned the BJD government’s record on regulating the mining sector, citing the Justice MB Shah Commission’s findings into illegal mining during the previous administration. He alleged that thousands of crores of rupees worth mineral resources were lost while the previous state government remained a ‘mute spectator’. He stressed that the commission’s findings highlighted a pattern of negligence and that the state’s failure to act allowed significant mineral wealth to slip away.
What did he say about downstream industries and youth migration? Purohit also argued that despite Odisha accounting for nearly 44 per cent of the country’s mineral wealth, the state had failed to create sufficient downstream industries and local employment opportunities in the last two decades. He noted that this shortfall has forced many youths to migrate in search of jobs elsewhere, undermining the potential for local economic growth linked to the state’s rich mineral base.
The report was filed by Express News Service and updated on 31 Aug 2026 at 3:21 am. It is a one‑minute read.
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What did Bargarh MP Pradip Purohit accuse Naveen Patnaik of?
He accused Naveen Patnaik of misleading people over the amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act and of presenting a misleading picture of the legislation.
When did Pradip Purohit send his letter to Naveen Patnaik?
He sent the letter on Sunday, as reported in the article updated on 31 August 2026.
What revenue loss claim did Purohit reject regarding the MMDR amendments?
He rejected the claim that the MMDR amendments would cause Odisha an annual revenue loss of around Rs 12,000 crore.
What did Purohit say about the state's revenues from mining under the MMDR amendments?
He said revenues from auction premiums, statutory royalty and district mineral foundation collections would remain protected and flow directly to the state exchequer.
Which commission's findings did Purohit cite regarding illegal mining?
He cited the Justice MB Shah Commission’s findings into illegal mining during the previous administration.
What did Purohit allege about mineral resource losses under the previous BJD government?
What did Purohit say about the Centre's role in district mineral foundation (DMF)?
He credited the BJP‑led Centre with making DMF mandatory to ensure mining revenues benefit affected rural and tribal areas.
What percentage of India's mineral wealth does Odisha account for, according to Purohit?
Odisha accounts for nearly 44 per cent of the country’s mineral wealth.
What consequence did Purohit link to the lack of downstream industries in Odisha?
He said the failure to create sufficient downstream industries and local employment opportunities forces youths to migrate in search of jobs.
Snehalata Bariha
District Correspondent, Bargarh
Snehalata Bariha covers Bargarh's paddy-belt agriculture, farmer welfare schemes, and the Dhanuyatra festival beat from her base in Bargarh town.
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