A year after its formation, OMBADC is still a non-starter

The Odisha Mineral Bearing Area Development Corporation (OMBADC), a special purpose vehicle created by the state government in April 2014 following the Supreme Court order to carry out developmental activities in mineral rich regions of the state, is still in the process of receiving inputs regarding requirements of the villages and towns surrounding mining areas.

The company started functioning in January this year and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the public sector company. As per the apex court order, it has so far received Rs 869 crore from the Net Present Value (NPV) (the amount deposited by mine owners for using forest areas).

"The organisation is still running on ad-hoc basis. The appointment of PCCF office to carry out the task is temporary arrangement. The state government will take a decision soon for appointing a full-time official to look after the matters related to OMBADC," said a senior official in the Odisha PCCF office.

The objective of the company is to improve social infrastructure such as provision of drinking water, sanitation, livelihood promotion, irrigation, skill development for alternative livelihood and supplementary income. Besides, environmental upgradation, construction of roads, anganwadi centres, power supply infrastructure, health services, development of sports and other activities would also form part of the action plan.

As per modalities fixed by the corporation, the programmes will be coordinated and monitored through a district level committee under the chairmanship of collectors of eight mineral bearing districts.

However, since the state government has asked the corporation to discuss with various line departments before carrying out the developmental activities, the company is yet to receive reports about where to invest its money.

"The government departments will have to spend the money on behalf of OMBADC. However, we must ensure that the projects selected by the company do not overlap with other projects being carried out by the state government. We had asked various departments to come up with their proposals and they are yet to send it," said the PCCF official.

After receiving the proposals, the board of directors of the company would decide which projects should be taken up on priority basis. The board meets every quarter.

The task of the corporation is separate from District Mineral Foundation concept introduced by the new Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act.