Bhubaneswar, Aug. 12 -- Former Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain on Wednesday alleged that Odisha would suffer substantial financial losses following the passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill in the Lok Sabha by voice vote.
In a statement here, Swain said states such as Odisha, which derive a significant share of their revenue from mineral resources and mineral-bearing land, would be severely affected by the legislation.
He questioned whether the 20 BJP MPs from Odisha had raised their voice against the Bill despite the state government's repeated emphasis on the concept of a "double-engine government".
"If the Bill is implemented, will Odisha be affected or not? Is this the conseq...