Congratulate @ONGC_ on discovering gas in the deep waters of Mahanadi Basin. Glad to know that there is encouraging flow and reservoir pressure from the discovered wells. #Odisha will strengthen the energy resilience of the nation and boost economy.
Addressing BJD Legislature Party, Naveen Patnaik Slams BJP Government and Vows to Fight for Odisha's Rights
BJD president and Leader of the Opposition @Naveen_Odisha launched a sharp attack on the BJP government while addressing a meeting of the BJD Legislature Party today. He said that even after more than two years in office, the government had failed to deliver the change it had promised.
Sri Patnaik accused the government of failing on several fronts, including law and order, flood management, price control, fiscal management and utilisation of budgetary allocations. He said the BJD would prominently raise the MMDR Amendment Act, errors in government textbooks and the problems faced by farmers in the Assembly.
Alleging that the MMDR Amendment Act was passed hurriedly in Parliament, Sri Patnaik said it had undermined Odisha's rights over its land and mineral resources. He also criticised the state government and Odisha's 20 BJP MPs for remaining silent on the issue.
"The BJD cannot remain a silent spectator. We will continue our fight until Odisha’s rights are restored," Sri Patnaik said.
He described the thousands of errors in government textbooks as a case of serious negligence and demanded the resignation of the minister concerned. He said the government had neither fixed responsibility for the mistakes nor provided corrected textbooks to students.
Sri Patnaik also raised concerns over the shortage of fertilisers and seeds, the state's paddy procurement policy and the alleged failure of the Food Corporation of India to lift rice from Odisha. These issues, he said, reflected the government’s indifference towards farmers.
On rising prices, the BJD chief said the increasing cost of essential commodities was putting severe pressure on household budgets. He also expressed concern that MDR on UPI transactions could place an additional financial burden on small traders and eventually increase costs for consumers. He sought clear guidelines and adequate safeguards for both merchants and the public.
Referring to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, Sri Patnaik described the alleged exclusion of genuine voters as a serious concern and said the BJD would strongly oppose it.
As the principal Opposition party, the BJD must expose the government’s failures and make people aware of its performance, Sri Patnaik told the party legislators. #Odisha
Did you notice the language Indian media is using for the Jamui crime in Bihar? A minor girl was chased, groped, lifted and dragged on camera while her classmate was slapped and pulled by the collar. That is a heinous assault, not a mild “groping” or “molestation” story. Soft words do not change what the video shows. When the crime happens in a BJP-ruled state, too many outlets start managing the vocabulary instead of naming the offence. Media that cannot call a crime a crime is a disgrace.
@Naveen_Odisha@MohanMOdisha A detailed discussion in the Odisha Assembly could help clarify the State’s position and the possible financial implications.
With the passage of MMDR Amendment in the Parliament recently, #Odisha stands to suffer significant financial losses and faces an erosion of its constitutional rights. Reiterate my appeal to Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha Shri @MohanMOdisha ji to call a special session of the Assembly and bring a unanimous resolution seeking the repeal of the MMDR Amendment.
As the Leader of the House, it is your moral responsibility call a special session of Assembly. This would reaffirm the constitutional rights of the State that were upheld by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and go a long way towards protecting the interests of Odisha.
The constitutional right of the states to impose tax on mineral wealth and mineral bearing lands was challenged in the courts by the mining companies. Our BJD Government fought for many years in the High Court and Supreme Court to protect this constitutional right of Odisha. Following that, your government also fought before the Supreme Court against the mining companies.
Under your direction, the Advocate General of Odisha had placed the State's position before the Court, including the serious financial implications for Odisha if its power to levy taxes on minerals and mineral-bearing lands was taken away.
Because of these sustained efforts, Odisha ultimately secured justice. Hon'ble Supreme Court, in its judgment delivered by a nine-Judge Constitution Bench, upheld the stand taken by Odisha against the claims of the mining companies. For Odisha, this judgment opened the way for recovery of crores of rupees in past dues and a minimum recurring revenue of nearly ₹12,000 crore every year.
This revenue has profound financial implications for Odisha's development and for securing a better future for our youth. I believe that your government had held high-level discussions following the Supreme Court judgment on how these resources could best be utilised for the people of Odisha.
After all this, to the utter shock of the nation, the MMDR Amendment was passed by the Parliament. This Amendment effectively strips Odisha of its constitutional right to levy taxes on its mineral wealth. 20 BJP MPs supported this amendment against the people of Odisha. This is what the mine owners wanted and had been fighting for.
@bjd_odisha will always stand with you in matters relating to the rights of Odisha and the future of our youth. Let us come together to pass this resolution in the interest of our motherland, Odisha, and demand that the Central Government reverse its decision to take away the State's constitutional rights. The people of Odisha will remember this historic moment.