Rs 50 crore Approved For Proposed Keonjhar Medical College

KEONJHAR: The District Mineral Foundation Trust Board of Keonjhar has approved Rs 50 crore for setting up a government medical college in the district.

The second governing body meeting of DMF was held at the Collectorate of Keonjhar recently where a plan to spend 280 crore rupees was approved.

The DMF had invited project proposal from different line departments and the members discussed various proposals and approved the projects according to their viability and necessity. The trust gave priority to development projects relating to drinking water, environment protection, pollution control, health, education, sanitation, skill development, etc. in the mining affected areas.

The members have approved 1.5 crores for building a skill development centre, hostel near Bodapalasa, 1.6 crores for a ladies hostel building, required funds for the widening of roads and electrification of Keonjhar town, funds for construction of Anganwadi buildings in the mines affected area.

Notably, the DMF has been constituted as per the direction of the government and the mining companies and lessee are contributing 30% of the royalty to the DMF for district development.

By the end of May, 280 crores had been deposited in the DMF while another 150 crores were still pending for collection. 70% of the funds would be spent in the mining affected areas and rest in other parts of the district.

A technical committee formed by the DMF will further inspect the proposals and give their recommendations to the governing body.