The opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to address the issue of coal royalty revision with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Odisha on Tuesday. BJD MP Sasmit Patra stated at a press conference that the central government has not revised the coal royalty for the past 12 years, resulting in an annual loss of Rs 100 billion for the state.

"Instead of succumbing to the pressure of the BJP, the chief minister should muster courage and take up the state's important issues with the PM, including the revision of coal royalty," Patra emphasised.

The BJD demanded that the Chief Minister write to the central government for an immediate revision of the coal royalty and also directly discuss the matter with the Prime Minister. PM Modi is visiting Odisha to launch the state's women's welfare scheme 'Subhadra Yojana' and to unveil several infrastructure projects.

In anticipation of the visit, senior Congress leader Srikant Jena also wrote to the Prime Minister, urging him to withdraw a review petition filed by the Centre in the Supreme Court regarding the state's authority to levy cess and taxes on mineral-bearing lands and minerals. Jena described the review petition as "backstabbing the interest of Odisha" and beneficial only to a few industrial houses and mine operators. He called for its withdrawal in the state's larger interest.

"The rulings of the Supreme Court allow states to levy taxes and cess on mineral-bearing lands and minerals. Odisha is the leading mineral producer in the country, accounting for nearly half of India's total mineral production," Jena stated in his letter.

The BJD also brought up the issue of establishing a bench of the high court in the state's western region. (ET)