Bhubaneswar | Dec 23, 2016:

People from various mines-bearing districts attending a meeting here have opposed utilisation of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) money for regular plan works. While more than Rs1,600 crore has already been collected from the mining companies, utilisation of funds have been started for plan works, which should be taken up under various State and Central schemes.

“What District Mineral Foundations bring to the people is not a grant or a donation, but their unassailable right to benefit from the resources they live on. DMF therefore is a vehicle through which the socioeconomic status of the mining-affected regions can be changed for the better,” said Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) deputy director general Chandra Bhushan, speaking at a meeting of civil society groups organised by the CSE to discuss DMFs in the State here.

The meeting was attended by NGOs, activists and mediapersons from key mining districts in the State, working on crucial development issues like health, nutrition, livelihoods, environment and education etc.

The DMF has been instituted to work for the interest and benefits of people affected by mining related operations. It was instituted under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2005. As per law, the DMF has to be to be set up in all mining districts of the country and mining companies have to contribute resources equivalent to 10%-30% of the royalty to this fund.

In Odisha, the DMFs have been set up in all the mining districts and more than Rs 1,600 crore has already been collected from the mining companies. The meeting comes at a time when mining districts are already in the process of planning for DMFs. Some districts like Angul and Kenonjhar have also been allocated funds for various works and projects.

While DMF planning in most districts in Odisha is ongoing, community groups attending the CSE meeting felt that people in mining affected areas have been left out of the planning process which is supposed to be for their own welfare.

Community groups insisted that not involving people in planning is against the spirit of the law. In no districts, particularly in Scheduled areas, have people been consulted for identifying beneficiaries or planning as the law requires.

Another concern that emerged was the diversion of DMF funds towards ‘planned projects’ which are parts of State or Central Government schemes and which already have ample fund allocation. Biplab Mishra of Keonjhar-based Prakalpa, which works on health and livelihood issues in the district, pointed out that the district has allocated a substantial amount of DMF money for such projects.

The community groups demanded change in the Odisha DMF Rules so that affected communities can be part of the Governing body and managing committee. They also called for a bottom-up planning involving gram sabhas. Sharing of information and putting all DMF-related information in the public domain as per the provisions of the law was strongly emphasised on by the organisations present in the meeting.

Various civil society groups have agreed to set up civil society forums at the district and State levels to act as a watchdog on DMF its activities.

The CSE team visited various mines affected villages of Talcher and discussed with the Angul administration about functioning of DMF. The Citizen's Action Forum in a meeting at Angul ,welcomed Bhushan and the CSE team.

(Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/)