Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the minerals-rich States, including Odisha, to bring “Ease of Living” for the people residing in the mineral zones by utilising District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds.
While reviewing working of Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKY) along with DMF in a videoconferencing, the Prime Minister asked the State Government to bring about a qualitative improvement in the the life of people in mineral rich districts.
The Prime Minister has asked the State Government to give priority on implementation of the PMKKY in these areas and to ensure that funds collected under DMF should be utilized to bring about a qualitative change in the lives of the people, informed Union Mines Secretary Anil G Mukim.
The State Government will have to identify 2-3 problem areas in each district and prepare projects to address the problems, said Mukim.
Mukim has said that the DMFs of those districts, which fall under the category of the Aspirational Districts’ Programme of the NITI Aayog, should ensure that funds specifically be utilized in line with the performance indicators chosen to measure progress of these districts.
The State Government has been asked to prepare plan of action and implement them and submit an action taken report to the Ministry of Mines at the earliest, said Mukim, adding that the ATR would be reviewed at the highest level
Now, more than Rs 12,000 crore DMF funds are available with the Odisha Government.
It has been decided to set up an Odisha Mineral Bearing Area Livelihood Mission so that major livelihood projects would be taken up and monitored in the mineral bearing areas.
According to the latest report, a total of Rs 12,845 crore compensation money received from the mining leases have been placed in the public account of the State Government.
Adhoc CAMPA Funds of Rs 445 crore is also available with OMBADC, revealed an official.