District Mineral Foundation (DMF)

The Odisha government has revised the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) norms to include new projects, improve fund utilization, and extend coverage areas.

Key Highlights:

Expansion of Affected Areas:

• The definition of “directly-affected” areas has been expanded to include regions within a 15 km radius of mines (previously 10 km).

• “Indirectly-affected” areas now encompass regions within a 25 km radius.

Saturation Mode Development:

• Developmental activities within a 5 km radius of mines will now be carried out in “saturation mode” to ensure comprehensive coverage.

About District Mineral Foundation

Establishment and Legal Basis:

• DMFs were established under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 2015, in mining-affected districts across India.

• These non-profit bodies are governed by state-defined rules, ensuring alignment with local needs and legal provisions like the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, and the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

Objective:

• The DMF works to benefit individuals and areas adversely affected by mining operations, focusing on welfare and sustainable development.

Current Reach:

• DMFs are operational in 645 districts across 23 states, with rules framed individually by the respective state governments.

Funding Mechanism:

• Mining leaseholders contribute to the DMF fund as an additional obligation beyond royalty payments.

Recent Updates

• Odisha’s updated norms aim to strengthen the implementation of DMF schemes, enhance resource allocation, and expand the foundation’s impact on affected communities.