JHARSUGUDA: In the first phase, at least `42.42 crore will be spent for development of mining areas under mineral fund in the district.
During the first meeting of the District Mineral Foundation Trust held at the Collectorate here on Thursday, Collector Bibhuti Bhusan Patnaik apprised the committee members about the modalities for development of mining areas after amendment to the MMDR Act.
This apart, management of funds and its utilisation, and responsibilities of the committee members, were discussed.
Bargarh MP Pravas Singh and Brajrajnagar MLA Radharani Panda said the living standards of people residing in the mining areas should be improved. Drinking water facilities, infrastructure development, plantation to check pollution and recharge of groundwater level were discussed at the meeting.