PANAJI
In line with the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Keshtra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY), the Goa government is likely to amend the District Mineral Funds (DMF) Rules 2018 to specify the radius for identification of directly and indirectly impacted areas in and around the mining leases.
The Governing Council of both North and South Goa District Mineral Foundation has asked the Project Management Units (PMU) to compile a list of directly and indirectly affected areas falling up to a maximum of 15 kms and 25 kms, respectively, as per PMKKKY, of the mineral blocks.
Sources informed that the government will soon amend the DMF Rules, to specify the actual radius, considering the size of the mineral blocks or leases in Goa. "The mining leases in Goa are small in size and hence, the radius needs to be revised in the larger interest of the impacted people," sources said adding that the radius could be brought down to 10 kms and 15 kms, respectively.
While a whopping amount of over Rs 117 crore is available for spending with South Goa DMF, the North has got Rs 89 crore available in its kitty. The Council has decided that 70 per cent of the funds would be utilized in the areas that are directly impacted due to mining. More than 200 crore funds under DMF are pending unutilized as on July 31.
During its meeting held last month, the Council in-principle accepted the revised PMKKKY guidelines, notified in January, and decided to include sectors like Housing, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry to the priority sector. However, the council was of the strong view that the State government will have to amend its Rules, to specify the actual radius.
The Councils pointed out that as per PMKKKY guidelines, the areas not extending beyond 15 kms from the boundary of mining lease will be considered as directly impacted mining area and indirectly affected area is considered beyond 15 km and within 25 km radius of the boundary of mine.
The Council noted that 30 per cent of the funds should be spent only in the indirectly affected areas for larger public good.
The Council also decided to issue necessary instructions to the concerned departments to mobilize proposals in the unrepresented sectors such as physical infrastructure, irrigation and energy, watershed development, housing, animal husbandry, etc.
