Mangaluru : Health and Family Welfare Minister and District In-charge Minister, Dinesh Gundu Rao, has directed that the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds be utilized for the improvement of areas damaged by mining activities and for the welfare of affected victims. Speaking at a meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office on Friday, the Minister announced that a high-level meeting with district legislators will be convened shortly to discuss the effective allocation and execution of these funds.
The Minister highlighted that the DMF provides a vital opportunity to develop essential infrastructure, including roads, schools, and Anganwadi buildings, in regions impacted by crushers, stone quarrying, and sand mining. Since 2015, a total of ₹47.62 crore has been collected in the district’s DMF account. This fund is primarily built by collecting 10% of the mining royalty, specifically earmarked for environmental restoration and community benefit in mining zones.
Providing further details, Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan (referenced as Darshan H.V. in the source) noted that the fund allows for developmental works within a 5-km radius of any mining site. He reported that 57 different projects worth ₹342 lakhs have already been completed using this fund. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, ₹1.59 crore from the DMF was utilized to strengthen health facilities. The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Police Commissioner and the Zilla Panchayat CEO, to ensure a coordinated approach toward future projects.
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