16 MINERAL BLOCKS UP FOR AUCTION SOON

16 MINERAL BLOCKS UP FOR AUCTION SOON

Subject : Economy

Context :The Chhattisgarh government is planning to auction 16 new blocks of iron ore and limestone in the next two to three months, a press release issued by the state government stated.

Concept :

District Mineral Foundation

• DMFs were instituted under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act 2015.
• They are non-profit trusts to work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining-related operations.
• Objective: To work for the interest of the benefit of the persons and areas affected mining related operations in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government.
• Its manner of operation comes under the jurisdiction of the relevant State Government.
• The fund is collected at the district level. There are certain high-priority areas identified in all states’ DMF rules, where at least 60 per cent of the fund must be used. These include vital and pressing concerns, including healthcare.

The various state DMF rules and the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Khestra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) guidelines stipulate some “high priority” issues for DMFs, including:

• Drinking water.
• Health
• Women and child welfare.
• Education
• Livelihood and skill development.
• Welfare of aged and disabled.
• Sanitation