On 9 July 2025, Union Minister Gangapuram (G) Kishan Reddy, Ministry of Mines (MoM) released the guidelines of ‘Aspirational District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Programme’ during the National DMF Workshop held in New Delhi, Delhi.
- Union Minister of State(MoS) Satish Chandra Dubey attended the event along with senior officials from the MoM and other ministries. Representatives from 152 DMFs, State DMF Nodal Officers, and 62 district collectors also took part in the workshop.
- The programme aims to align DMF initiatives with the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Block Programme (ABP) to ensure targeted development in mining-affected areas.
Other Highlights of the Event:
i.Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy launched a Coffee Table Book 2.0, which showcased transformative projects funded by DMFs across India, reflecting the tangible benefits of these efforts in mining-affected communities, was launched at the event.
ii.During the event, States including Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh (HP), Rajasthan, and Goa were felicitated for adopting the revised Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) 2024 guidelines into the DMF Rules.
iii.Tamil Nadu (TN), Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh were felicitated for the good performance in timely closure of annual audit reports, working towards greater transparency and accountability.
iv.Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy also inaugurated DMF Exhibition at Handloom Haat in New Delhi. The exhibition showcases products and enterprises supported by DMF funds.
- The exhibition offers a platform for Self Help Groups (SHGs) from mining-affected areas to display their work and engage with a wider audience.
Note: PMKKKY, launched in 2015, is a central government scheme aimed at improving the well-being of communities living in areas impacted by mining activities.
Odisha Tops DMF Collections in India with Rs.31,324 Crores:
Odisha has collected the highest amount of Rs. 31,324 crores under the DMF, surpassing all other mineral bearing states. Odisha is ranked first in India for its reserves of minerals such as iron ore, coal, bauxite, and chromite.
- Odisha is followed by Jharkhand (Rs.13,791 crores), Rajasthan (Rs.10,833 crores), and Madhya Pradesh (MP) (Rs.8,605 crores).
i.As of April 2025, the total cumulative collection under the DMF stands at Rs.1,08,219.42 crore. Out of this, Rs.90,608.87 crore has been allocated for various developmental projects, while Rs.57,381.72 crore has been utilised so far.
ii.In the district level, Keonjhar district of Odisha has collected DMF funds Rs. 13,154.67 crores, which is highest in the country.
About District Mineral Fund (DMF):
i.DMF is non-profit trust, established in all mining-affected districts of India, created under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 through an Amendment in 2015.
ii.It aims to improve the standard of living of people in mining-affected areas through long-term sustainable development initiatives using financial contributions from mining companies.
iii.Currently, it is established in 646 districts across 23 states in India.
About Ministry of Mines (MoM):
Union Minister – Gangapuram Kishan Reddy (Constituency – Secunderabad, Telangana)
Minister of State (MoS) – Satish Chandra Dubey (Rajya Sabha – Bihar)
