District Mineral Foundation Funds Transforming Lives of Mining Affected Areas / People

Source: The post is based on the article “District Mineral Foundation Funds Transforming Lives of Mining Affected Areas / People” published in “PIB” on 10th October 2023

What is the News?

District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) have been set up in as many as 644 districts of 23 states/UTs which have DMF rules in place. 

Seventeen states/UTs of the country have already formed DMF in all the districts.

What is the District Mineral Foundation(DMF) Trust?

Section 9B of the Mines & Minerals (Development & Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957 empowers the State Government to establish District Mineral Foundation(DMF) Trust as a non profit body in all the Districts affected by mining for the benefit of the people and areas affected by mining activities. 

The object of the DMF is to work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining related operations in such a manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.

What is Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana(PMKKY)?

The Ministry of Mines launched the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) in 2015.

Purpose: It is meant to provide for the welfare of areas and people affected by mining related operations, using the funds generated by District Mineral Foundations(DMFs).

Objectives: (a) to implement various developmental and welfare projects/programs in mining affected areas, and these projects/ programs will be complementing the existing ongoing schemes/projects of State and Central Government; (b) to minimize/mitigate the adverse impacts, during and after mining, on the environment, health and socio-economics of people in mining districts and (c) to ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected people in mining areas.

Utilization of Funds: PMKKKY provides for utilization of at least 60% of the funds for high priority areas like: (i) drinking water supply; (ii) environment preservation and pollution control measures; (iii) health care; (iv) education; (v) welfare of women and children; (vi) welfare of aged and disabled people; (vii) skill development; and (viii) sanitation.

The remaining 40% of the funds shall be utilized for other priority areas (i) physical infrastructure; (ii) irrigation; (iii) energy and watershed development; and (iv) any other measures for enhancing environmental quality in mining districts.