Odisha Govt Asks Collectors To Spend DMF Fund Judiciously

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday directed the district collectors to spend the fund from District Mineral Foundation (DMF) judiciously prioritizing the mining affected areas.

It was decided in the first meeting of the State Level Committee ( SLC) on District Mineral Foundation (DMF) chaired by Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi.

The DMFs have been formed in all the districts. The government has so far collected more than Rs. 1100 crores as District Mineral Foundation Fund in various districts.

Development Commissioner R. Balakrishnan suggested establishing last mile road connectivity to the cut off habitations for delivery of essential services.

The district collectors, who participated in the meeting through video conferencing, were also asked to utilize the technical and manpower expertise of the line departments for preparation and implementation of the projects under DMF.

Development Commissioner also advised the line departments in mining districts to deploy more manpower like engineers, technical staff, etc. for execution of the projects as per the necessity.

Steel and Mines Secretary RK Sharma advised the collectors to look into the amended ODMF Rules and guidelines and plan the collection and expenditures of funds accordingly.

Sharma said that the District Mineral Foundations had been formed in all the districts and in many major districts the foundations have started implementing the developmental projects.

The meeting also discussed the proposals for including the infrastructural projects for the welfare of old-age persons, persons with disabilities, transgender, drug-addicts and working women.

It was decided that the Executive Committees of the DMF may consider the projects like establishment of old age home, district rehabilitation centers, homes for mentally retarded persons, and drug de-addiction centers for mining-affected areas and people.