Keonjhar | Jun 06, 2016: A lion's share of funds from District Mineral Foundation (DMF) trust will be utilized for development of mining-affected areas in Keonjhar district.
The second governing body meeting of the DMF trust was recently held at Keonjhar collectorate. Presiding over the meeting, collector (Keonjhar) N Thirumala Nayak revealed that Rs 280 crore has been contributed by the mine owners by May 30 to the fund whereas Rs 150 crore is yet to be deposited by several mining companies.
It was decided in the meeting that 70% of the deposited funds will be spent for the development of mining-affected areas and rest utilized in other areas of the district.
The projects submitted by various departments were discussed at the meeting. According to the guidelines, priority will be given to drinking water projects, skill development of youths, welfare of the children, women, elderly and disabled persons, protection of environment, pollution control, healthcare, education and infrastructure development in mining-hit areas. Nayak said a technical team will be formed to review the projects.
Funds would also be spent on road connectivity, electrification, irrigation, afforestation and watershed projects to protect environment. It was also decided to allot Rs 50 crore to the proposed medical college in Keonjhar. Besides, Rs 1.5 crore would be spent for construction of a gents hostel and Rs 1.6 crore for a ladies hostel at Skill Development Centre, Bodapalasa, in the district. Funds will be allocated for four-laning of roads and lighting in Keonjhar town.
According to the MMDR Act (Mining Mineral Development and Regulation Act) each mining company will deposit 30% of their royalty in DMF fund.
In the meeting, Keonjhar MP Sakuntala Laguri, MLAs and district-level officers were present. Some mine owners went to the court challenging the date of collection for the DMF trust. "As cases are pending after stay order by the court, hence we could not force the companies to deposit the rest amount," said deputy director of mines, Joda, S K Nayak.
(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)