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About Us
District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Trust – Goa
The District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Trust in Goa was established in 2016 following the amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The main objective of DMF is to utilize a portion of mining revenues for the welfare and development of people living in areas affected by mining activities. Mining operations often lead to environmental degradation, health issues, and socio-economic challenges in nearby communities, and the DMF ensures that these impacts are mitigated through targeted welfare projects.
Structure of DMF in Goa
In Goa, two District Mineral Foundation Trusts operate, one in each district:
1. North Goa DMF Trust
The North Goa DMF Trust is responsible for addressing the needs of mining-affected areas, primarily in Bicholim and Sattari talukas, where iron ore mining has historically been concentrated. Key initiatives of this trust include:
- Healthcare Improvements: Strengthening health infrastructure, providing medical camps, and ensuring access to clean drinking water.
- Educational Support: Providing scholarships, building schools, and improving facilities in mining-affected areas.
- Infrastructure Development: Repairing and constructing roads, bridges, and water supply networks.
- Environmental Restoration: Promoting afforestation, soil conservation, and pollution control measures.
2. South Goa DMF Trust
The South Goa DMF Trust caters to mining-affected regions such as Quepem, Sanguem, and Dharbandora talukas, which have a significant history of mining-related activities. The trust’s primary focus areas include:
- Skill Development and Livelihood Programs: Training youth and women in alternative employment sectors to reduce dependency on mining jobs.
- Housing and Sanitation Projects: Building affordable housing for displaced families and improving sanitation in rural areas.
- Healthcare and Nutrition: Establishing health centers, providing ambulances, and supporting maternal and child nutrition programs.
- Water and Irrigation Facilities: Ensuring better water conservation methods and irrigation facilities to support agriculture in affected areas.
Governance and Fund Utilization
Both DMF Trusts operate under the Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Goa, with oversight from local authorities and committees. The funds for DMF are collected from mining leaseholders, who contribute a fixed percentage of their royalty payments. These funds are then allocated to priority projects in mining-affected regions, as per PMKKKY guidelines.
Through these initiatives, the DMF Trusts in Goa aim to provide long-term socio-economic benefits to communities that have been impacted by decades of mining activity, ensuring sustainable development and improved quality of life for residents in these areas.
Objectives of DMF as per Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY)
The Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY), launched in 2015, outlines the key objectives of DMF Trusts across India, including Goa. These objectives are:
To implement welfare programs that benefit people living in mining-affected areas, with a focus on improving their quality of life.
To mitigate adverse effects of mining on the environment, including soil erosion, deforestation, and pollution.
To provide sustainable livelihood opportunities by supporting education, skill development, and self-employment programs.
To improve health and sanitation facilities, including clean drinking water, better hospitals, and hygiene awareness programs.
To promote infrastructure development such as better roads, schools, and housing for displaced communities.
To support socio-economic empowerment by providing financial assistance and development programs for marginalized groups.