In addition to the districts directly-indirectly affected by mining activities, funds under DMF will also be allotted to the newly-formed districts in the state: CM Baghel

Raipur: Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday chaired a meeting of Mineral Trust’s State Level Monitoring Committee at his residence office. Considering the top as well as the general priorities under DMF head, chief minister has directed the officials concerned to take special care of austerity.

Chief minister has said that the amount of DMF should not be used for organizing fairs etc. in the district. In this meeting, a state-level cell has been constituted for social audit of DMF income and expenditure.

In the meeting, chief minister directed the officials concerned to allocate the amount under DMF to the directly and the indirectly affected districts of the state on the basis of the prescribed ratio. Besides the mining affected districts of the state, funds under DMF should also be allocated to the five newly-formed districts, so that the development works there can be completed on time with priority.

Baghel said that for the purchase of health and education related equipment, departmental budget should be utilized. DMF item should not be used for this purpose. However, the equipment required for Swami Atmanand Excellence Schools can be purchased using DMF. Similarly, the use of Mineral Trust Item for purchase of vehicles for official use will be restricted, but ambulances and vehicles for essential services like health etc will be allowed.

He has asked the officials to take necessary action for withdrawal of the stay order imposed on diamond mine of Gariband district so that the operation of the mine can be resumed.

Chief minister’s secretary Siddharth Komal Singh Pardeshi informed that since the formation of District Mineral Trust, an amount of Rs 10,000 crore has been approved for 70,000 works so far. Out of which, 43,000 works have been completed.