Opposition Urges Odisha CM to Push Coal Royalty Hike with PM

19 Sep 2024 CW Team

The opposition BJD has called on Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to raise the issue of coal royalty revision during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state. BJD MP Sasmit Patra emphasized that the Centre has failed to revise coal royalties for 12 years, resulting in an annual loss of ?100 billion for Odisha.

PM Modi will be visiting Odisha to launch the 'Subhadra Yojana' women’s welfare scheme and unveil infrastructure projects. The BJD urged the CM to directly address the coal royalty issue with the PM, instead of yielding to BJP pressure.

Congress leader Srikant Jena also wrote to the PM, urging the withdrawal of a review petition that challenges the state's authority to levy taxes on mineral-bearing lands. He called the petition a betrayal of Odisha’s interests, which produces nearly half of India’s minerals.

The BJD further raised demands for the establishment of a high court bench in Odisha’s western region.

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