BHUBANESWAR: Continuing his attack on the state government, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday raised the issue of utilisation of district mineral foundation (DMF) funds in mineral-bearing districts.
Expressing concern over media reports that residents of Kapand village in Badapurunapali panchayat under Lahunipada block of Sundargarh have taken it upon themselves to construct a road after their repeated appeals to the district administration went unheeded, Pradhan asked, “Is this the transformation brought about in the lives of people by the state government in the last 24 years?”
Taking to social media handle X, the minister said DMF fund was created by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the prime objective of improving the quality of life of people in mineral-bearing districts affected by mining activities. Sundargarh district has so far received Rs 6,405 crore in DMF of which only Rs 860 crore has been utilised.
“The Modi government has created DMF fund for the development of education, health and transportation in tribal areas. A total of Rs 6,405 crore has been received in DMF in Sundargarh, a mineral rich district, while only Rs 860 crore has been spent,” he posted on X.
Pradhan sought justification of procurement of expensive vehicles by Rourkela police and construction of boundary wall of Sundargarh circuit house from DMF fund which is meant for priority activities like construction of road, supply of drinking water, improvement of health services and education.
The minister further said out of 88.76 lakh households in rural areas, around 23.89 lakh families do not have access to safe drinking water through tap.
Around 56.12 per cent of the villagers are still using contaminated water. In at least 15 districts of the state, clean drinking water is not available for more than 40 per cent of the families. Even in urban areas, 31.2 per cent families are deprived of safe drinking water.
Referring to the boycott threat by women voters of Mahakalapada area of Kendarapara district over water crisis, Pradhan again questioned whether this is the transformation the government is talking about.