PANAJI
The District Mineral Foundation (DMF)-North Goa and the Kushavati District Mineral Foundation (formerly South Goa DMF) have decided to undertake a detailed baseline survey across mining-affected areas to prepare a five-year Perspective Plan and Annual Action Plans aimed at ensuring that DMF funds are used strictly for the benefit of mining-affected people and regions.
The decision was taken during meetings of the governing councils of both DMFs. Officials said the move follows the Ministry of Mines notification dated April 8, 2026, which reaffirmed the requirement for all DMFs to prepare a five-year Perspective Plan and Annual Action Plans under the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY).
“Accordingly, it was decided to undertake a detailed baseline survey, which will also assess the projects implemented so far and the benefits derived by the people and the affected areas,” an official said.
As part of the exercise, the DMFs will organise taluka-wise workshops, outreach activities in educational institutions, particularly colleges, and are also considering a hackathon to gather ideas for the Perspective Plan. The required expenditure for these activities will be met from the administrative budget of the Kushavati DMF.
Officials said the renewed planning process comes amid concerns over misuse of DMF funds in several states. The guidelines prohibit spending on projects that do not directly benefit mining-affected communities, including panchayat buildings, gymnasium renovations, government offices, officers’ quarters, statues, memorials, helipads, leisure facilities for officials, foreign travel, scholarships for studying abroad, and purchase of vehicles or mobile phones for officials or DMF offices. Commercial ventures such as shopping malls, multiplexes, entertainment parks, private industrial parks, and SEZs are also barred from receiving DMF funding.
Introduced under Section 20A of the MMDR Act in 2015, the DMF was conceived as a welfare mechanism for communities affected by mining. However, utilisation of funds in Goa has remained sluggish.
Data shows that of the total Rs 244.71 crore available with the North Goa DMF and the Kushavati DMF, only Rs 60.53 crore has been spent so far. North Goa accumulated Rs 132.91 crore under DMF, of which Rs 39.61 crore has been utilised. Authorities sanctioned 56 projects worth Rs 62.74 crore, but only 11 have been completed.
In the Kushavati DMF area, against an available Rs 111.80 crore, expenditure stands at Rs 20.92 crore. Authorities sanctioned 45 projects worth Rs 31.80 crore over the past decade, with 10 completed and 11 currently in progress.
