Bhubaneswar: A meeting of the State Level Committee of District Mineral Institutes was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja at Lok Seva Bhavan. The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner Surendra Kumar, Secretary Anu Garg, and other senior officials from the state and central governments.
The meeting reviewed the progress of District Mineral Institutes and discussed various issues related to the utilisation of the District Mineral Fund (DMF). As of now, Rs. 33,204.87 crore has been collected in DMF, out of which Rs. 26,788.50 crore has been allocated and Rs. 18,382.24 crore has been spent. The committee emphasised the need to strengthen the utilisation and monitoring system of funds to bring about tangible changes in the lives of people in mining-affected areas.
The meeting discussed the development of a comprehensive portal to provide basic amenities in mining-affected villages and the conduct of a 5-year long-term survey by established institutions and universities to assess the availability of facilities in these areas. The committee also reviewed the integration of DMF work with the development work of Aspiring Districts and Blocks and various welfare schemes of the central and state governments.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja emphasised the need to prepare plans and programs that can bring about a tangible change in the lives of people in mining-affected areas. He stressed the importance of strengthening the utilisation and monitoring system of funds to ensure that DMF funds are used effectively.
The meeting concluded with a commitment to work towards the development of mining-affected areas and to ensure that the benefits of mineral wealth reach the local communities.
