Odisha CM Pushes Faster DMF Spending: Rs 34,052 Cr Collected, 55% Utilized
Bhubaneswar, Dec 2: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a crucial meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan to review the progress of District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) across the state.
The review revealed that a total of Rs34,052 crore has been collected from 11 districts, with nearly 55% of the funds already utilised.
The Chief Minister emphasised the need to accelerate spending to ensure the timely delivery of basic amenities such as education, healthcare, water supply, and transportation in mining-affected areas.
He directed officials to submit annual and audit reports for every DMF and mandated that funds collected from minor minerals must be spent within the same district.
Majhi also stressed providing full basic facilities in saturation mode to mining zone communities and called for measures to prevent pollution in nearby settlements.
To ensure long-term sustainability, districts with annual DMF collections of Rs 10 crore or more will establish Endowment Funds, invested in secure instruments like government securities and bank bonds.
These funds aim to create livelihood opportunities for future generations once mining operations cease.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Mining Department ACS Surendra Kumar, and Principal Secretary to the CM Sashwat Mishra.
The initiative underscores Odisha’s commitment to sustainable development and equitable distribution of mining revenues for the welfare of affected communities.
