No dearth of rehab projects, yet states drag feet on spending DMF funds

Only Rs 22.6 bn spent out of total collection of Rs 137.5 bn, though there is no dearth of projects for the mining-affected population

Mineral-rich states have been sluggish in spending funds collected from the miners under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF).

Though the combined collection of 21 mineral bearing states has touched Rs 137.5 billion, actual expenditure is only Rs 22.6 billion, according to latest data compiled by the Union mines ministry. The DMF has been set up in 506 districts across the country.

There is no dearth of projects to be implemented out of DMF funds. In all, about 274,110 projects and schemes have been listed by the states in sectors such as roads, healthcare, drinking water, sports, sanitation, watershed development, skill development, irrigation,