In a recent meeting of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) in Dhenkanal, Odisha, the district collector faced off against the local Member of Parliament (MP) over the allocation of funds.
According to reports, the MP, Mahesh Sahoo, demanded a larger share of the DMF funds for his constituency, citing a lack of development in the area. However, the district collector, Bhumesh Chandra Behera, defended the current allocation and stated that it was based on the guidelines set by the government.
The tension between the two escalated as Sahoo accused the collector of ignoring the demands of local representatives and failing to provide adequate funding for essential projects. In response, Behera stated that the funds were being allocated as per the DMF guidelines and that the development of the entire district, not just one constituency, was his top priority.
The exchange has brought attention to the ongoing debate surrounding DMF funds and their distribution. The DMF was established to ensure that mineral-rich areas benefit from the revenue generated by mining activities. The funds are meant to be utilized for the development of infrastructure and social welfare schemes in the affected regions.
However, the allocation and utilization of DMF funds have been a point of contention in many districts, with allegations of corruption and mismanagement. The faceoff in Dhenkanal highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the allocation and utilization of DMF funds.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns of local representatives and ensure that the DMF funds are utilized for the development of mineral-rich areas in an effective and transparent manner.