CM Naveen Patnaik seeks BJP support for Mines and Minerals Bill

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held discussions with several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members of Parliament to secure their cooperation on the controversial Mines and Minerals Bill currently before the legislature. The meeting, described by insiders as a "cross‑aisle outreach," aimed to address concerns raised by the opposition and to smooth the bill's passage.
The Mines and Minerals Bill seeks to overhaul the state's mining regulations, allowing greater private sector participation while promising higher revenue for the state treasury. Proponents argue that the reforms will attract investment, modernise extraction processes and create jobs, whereas critics fear reduced environmental safeguards and the marginalisation of small‑scale miners.
Patnaik emphasized that bipartisan support is essential for the bill's success, noting that the BJP's parliamentary strength could be decisive in the upcoming vote. BJP MPs, in turn, indicated willingness to consider amendments that address ecological and community impact, signalling a rare moment of cooperation in a typically polarized political environment.
The outcome of this outreach will shape the legislative timetable, with the government hoping to introduce the bill for debate in the next session of the state assembly.