"GVCK has recently got registered with the state government. The developmental activities will be started this week," said A Karthikeyan, chief executive officer, GVCK.
GVCK's contributing members are some of the leading miners of the state. They include KJS Ahluwalia, R P Sao, D R Patnaik, Indrani Patnaik, Prashant Ahluwalia, Tarini Minerals, Kalinga Mining Corporation and Thriveni Earthmovers Private limited.
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These miners had jointly presented before the Justice MB Shah Commission, currently enquiring into large scale illegal mining operation in the state, a blueprint for the socio-economic development of the two districts with an outlay of Rs 100 crore. The proposal was presented by Supreme Court advocate Gopal Subramaniam on behalf of the miners on April 3.
"The board of trustees will be headed by Justice Mukul Mudgal, who will be the chairman-cum-managing trustee," he added. The activities of the trust will revolve around development of healthcare, infrastructure, water and allied services like construction of cold storages etc in the mining belt.
Establishment of a multi-specialty hospital is also being mooted. In addition, the trust plans to establish two DAV colleges with mid-day meals facilities.
This plan was in response to the Commission's directive to miners to come out with a detailed blueprint for overall development of Keonjhar and Sundergarh districts. Though mine owners had reaped the bounties of these iron ore rich regions, there was no commensurate development of local people affected by mineral extraction activities.
The Accountant General - Odisha has recently urged the state government to get involved in the process and monitor the utilisation of funds meant for periphery development in mining districts.