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Centre not taking away DMF, auctioning rights of states: Pralhad Joshi

Last Updated 27 March 2021, 18:16 IST

Union Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi said the Centre is not framing rules under District Mineral Foundation (DMF) to infringe on the powers of state governments but to provide clarity.

Speaking to media persons on Saturday, the Centre is laying guidelines in utilising the DMF fund, whereas the states are free to frame rules and spend those funds as per the rules. He said, DMF came into existence six years ago and over the years it has accumulated more than Rs 45,000 crore. However, only Rs 20,000 crore has been utilised so far.

The Centre has issued direction for spending funds directly in the affected areas as well as national programmes such as malnutrition eradication and other immunisation programmes.

The money under the DMF would be strictly spent in the mining-affected districts and funds should be utilised for the welfare of the affected people. The Centre is not taking away any powers from the state in this regard, he said.

With regard to auctioning of mines, the minister said that in the last six years the Union government has unlocked nearly 143 virgin mines in several states. However, so far only seven minefields are auctioned. Such a slow approach will neither benefit the state nor the Centre. We are only utilising 1% of the total natural minerals available in India and exporting huge quantity. This has to be prevented, he said.

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(Published 27 March 2021, 18:16 IST)

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