Bhubaneswar: The amended Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 2026, sparked a fresh political confrontation on Friday, with BJP and BJD accusing each other of misleading the public on its impact on Odisha’s mining sector and revenues.Addressing a news conference at the BJP state headquarters, former Rajya Sabha MP Amar Patnaik accused BJD and Congress of spreading misinformation about the amended law. “The legislation would bring greater transparency, regulatory uniformity and investor confidence to the mining sector while safeguarding states’ interests,” he said.Patnaik claimed Odisha’s mining revenue increased from around Rs 3,300 crore in 2015 to nearly Rs 53,000 crore last year due to reforms such as e-auctions and revised royalty mechanisms introduced by the Centre.He rejected opposition claims that the amendment would weaken federalism or erode the state’s powers over mineral resources. Patnaik also questioned the previous BJD government’s handling of mining-related issues, including its opposition to a CBI probe recommended by the Shah Commission into alleged mining irregularities.The BJD hit back, alleging that Patnaik was defending the law at the cost of Odisha’s interests. Party spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said the state stands to lose substantial mining tax revenues under the amended framework. Citing submissions made by the state’s advocate general before the Supreme Court and statements published in Odisha Review, Mohanty said Odisha was entitled to over Rs 1 lakh crore in mining tax arrears and stood to earn around Rs 12,000 crore annually.Mohanty also contended that transparent e-auctions conducted during the BJD government’s tenure significantly boosted mining revenues.