PANAJI
In shocking information, the Goa government has spent hardly 21 per cent of its district mineral fund (DMF )- allocated towards welfare and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining related operations - since its formation in 2016.
The Union Minister for Mines Pralhad Joshi in a data tabled in Lok Sabha on Wednesday has revealed that of the total Rs 243.4 crore available DMF, Goa has managed to spent only Rs 53.2 crore till date towards various developmental and other welfare related activities in the mining areas.
The data shows that the government has laid major focus on supply of potable drinking water and creating health care infrastructure in the mining affected areas apart from skill development and women welfare.
The Union Minister said that the Section 9B of MMDR Act empowers State Governments to establish District Mineral Foundation (DMF) to work for welfare and benefit of persons, and areas affected by mining related operations and make rules for composition and functions of the DMFs in the State.
Under Section 20A of the MMDR Act, Union Government circulated Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojna (PMKKKY) guidelines in September 2015 with directions to State governments to incorporate the same into the DMF rules framed by them. Funds under DMF are accrued at the concerned districts and are utilised by the district DMF as per the guidelines for implementation of projects under PMKKKY.
The Goa government, in June, this year unlocked 100 per cent of the funds of DMF amounting to over Rs 242 crore for undertaking developmental works in the mining areas.
As per the amendment undertaken by Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG), it allows the entire amount including the interest generated thereon, for utilising exclusively for carrying out activities in accordance with PMKKKY. It has said that an amount not exceeding 5 per cent should be utilised for administrative purposes.
Earlier, as per DMF rules, 50 per cent of the funds were kept in fixed deposits (FDs), while the balance 50 per cent was made available for spending for high priority projects such as drinking water supply, healthcare, education, environmental preservation and pollution control measures, etc.
