Team Herald
PANJIM: Following directives from the High Court of Bombay at Goa, Directorate of Mines and Geology (DMG) has asked panchayats in mining areas to submit proposals for development projects for implementation under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF).
In advertisements issued in local newspapers, DMG director Parasanna Acharya said that the government has constituted DMF for taking up reclamation and rehabilitation (R&R) of the people and areas affected by mining.
Acharya said that the High Court, in a recent order has directed the government and the foundation to give publicity to the availability of funds by putting up notices in every Panchayat office, and issue directions to the Sarpanch to spread this information in the village.
“Accordingly, all the panchayats are directed to put up notices in regards to DMF in their respective panchayat offices. The panchayats are asked to submit their proposals to be taken up under the DMF at the earliest,” Acharya said.
The Court, in its order dated March 28, had observed that many mining affected villages and people are not aware that there are substantial funds earmarked for their benefit. “If the objective of the foundations is to provide the benefits to the mining affected and if the people are not aware that funds are available for their benefit, it is up to the State government and the foundation to inform them about the provisions. The foundations cannot be passive spectators, but must take proactive role to reach out to the needy,” the court had said.
“There is no publicity whatsoever given to the District Mineral Foundation Fund. It is necessary that the foundations give wide publicity to the fact that District Mineral Foundation Fund is available for the activities mentioned under the Rules,” it had said further.
Rs 180.338 crore are currently deposited with DMF, that includes Rs 94.848 crore in North DMF and Rs 86.490 crore in South DMF, which are earmarked for the benefit of the mining affected persons.
The DMF was introduced after the Centre amended the MMDR (Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation) Act in 2015.
