Many civil societies of Keonjhar on Monday expressed deep concern over the formation and functioning of the District Mineral Foundation under the provisions of the new MMDR Act 2015. The Act, which was passed by the Parliament on March 27, 2015, provides for creation of District Mineral Fund (DMF) in all mineral bearing districts where an amount equivalent to the royalty collected would be deposited by lessees, and these funds would be utilised for the interest of the people and areas affected by mining related operations.
The State Governments have been asked to form a trust ‘District Mineral Foundations’ (DMF) at the district-level and frame rules regarding formation and functioning of the foundation. Accordingly, Mineral-rich Keonjhar district is expected to collect more than Rs 3,000 crore under the DMF annually, said society members, adding that a vision planning and mechanism for utilising such huge funds is needed.
They emphasised that collected DMF should be spent on growth of core sectors like health, education, infrastructure, communication, drinking water and irrigation. Besides, the members decided to prepare a draft proposal regarding the formation and functioning of the proposed DMF, which would be given to the Government as a suggestion for framing of rules and regulations for the fund.
Alleging that the district has earlier witnessed poor utilisation of CAMPA funds and Odisha Mineral bearing Area Development Corporation (OMBACC) funds collected from the mining companies, Keonjhar Citizens’ Forum president Kiran Sankar Sahoo said, “Now we want to see that the DMF is properly utilised for development of the district.” Among others, Kendujhar District Journalist Association president Dhirendra Rout, Progressive Citizen Forum secretary secretary Malaya Mohapatra, former MP Ananta Nayak, Rotary Club president Suresh Khattoi, KDTO president RC Bhuyan, Kendujhar District Bar Association secretary Alok Mahanta and WOSCA secretary Dharitri Rout participated in the discussion.