PANAJI
In line with the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Keshtra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY), the Goa government has amended the District Mineral Funds (DMF) Rules 2018, wherein it has identified areas upto 15kms radius as directly affected areas due to iron ore mining activities. Almost 70 per cent of the DMF funds would be utilised in these areas.
Also, the government has barred transfer of DMF funds to the State exchequer or State level fund or Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or any other funds or schemes. The State had in 2021-22, diverted around Rs 38 crore funds towards COVID relief.
The Goan, was first to report about the possible amendment to the DMF rules to specify the radius for identification of directly and indirectly impacted areas in and around the mining leases.
As per the amendment, the area directly affected is up to 15km from the boundary of a mine lease, and the area considered indirectly affected is up to 25km from the boundary of a mining lease.
According to the notification issued by the Director of Mines Narayan Gad, the directly affected areas are villages and gram panchayats or Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) within which mines (other than minor minerals) are situated and are operational and such mining areas may extend to neighbouring village/ town, block or district or even State provided that directly affected area is an area within such radius from a mine or cluster of mines as may be specified by the government, but shall not extend beyond 15km from the boundary of the mines of mineral other than minor minerals.
“Indirectly affected areas are those areas where local population is adversely affected on account of economic, social and environmental consequences due to mining-related operations of minerals other than minor minerals: Provided that indirectly affected area is within such radius from a mine or cluster of mines as may be specified by the government, but shall not extend beyond 25km from the boundary of the mines of mineral other than minor minerals,” Gad said.
The department said that in cases of minor minerals quarrying, the affected areas shall be revenue villages where the quarrying lease is situated.
The department further said that no sanction or approval of any expenditure out of the fund of the DMF shall be done at the State level by the government or any State level agency and also no fund shall be spent other than for directly or indirectly affected areas within a district or for other than affected persons.
“No fund shall be transferred in any manner from one district to another district,” it added.
While a whopping amount of over Rs 117 crore is available for spending with South Goa DMF, the North has got Rs 89 crore available in its kitty.
The government has directed the Foundation to conduct a baseline survey through academic Institutions/ renowned organisations/ agencies for perspective plan formulation.
“Based on the findings and gaps as identified through the baseline survey or any such survey/ assessment, the Foundation shall prepare a strategy for five years and the same shall be included in the Perspective Plan,” it said.
