With rich mineral resources and schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana and setting up of District Mineral Foundations (DMFs), the mining sectors in the country are all set to address the developmental issues of the mining areas and people living around these areas.

However, success of these schemes is yet to be achieved due to lack of effective implementation. With a fund allocation under District Mineral Foundations for Odisha, hovering around Rs 1,233 crore (for 2016-17), the expenditures so far is a mere Rs 22 crore.

This was observed by knowledgeable speakers at the inaugural session of a State-level workshop on “Understanding District Mineral Foundation & Its Role” held here on Sunday.

“To address the roadblocks, we need to make structural changes and develop a precise delivery system that is flexible with low-cost operation and should be professional in approach,” said Nalco CMD Dr Tapan Kumar Chand while addressing the session as chief guest. He also underlined the importance of inclusion of civil society members and industry bodies who are contributing to the

District Mineral Foundations as core team members within the structural list of implementers.

“It’s a paradox that the present structural system of policy implementers under DMFs has confined it only to the law and order authorities and has ignored the role of civil society and industry

bodies, thus defeating the very purpose of an effective implementation mechanism,” said Chand.

Among others, MlA KV Singh Deo and Dr Siddartha Sankar Dash, former Professor, Entrepreneurship Development Institute, Ahmadabad, were notably present on the occasion. The workshop was organised by the Centre for the Study of Contemporary Societies (CSCS). CSCS newsletter ‘Anwesha’ was also released on the occasion.