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District Level Consultation – Panjim, Goa

District Level Consultation on Children in Mining Area, Illegal Mining and DMF was held at Panjim, Goa on 21st July’ 2017. 35 participants from across Goa attended the programme.

There were discussions on Illegal mining being carried out in the State of Goa violating all the pollution control norms and The Goa (Prevention of Illegal mining, storage and transportation) Rules, 2013. These rules are on the record of Hon’ble SC wherein the Goa Govt had assured the court that there will not be illegal mining carried out in future. But illegal mining still continues unabated.

Soshi Isuue: When a local community like Sonshi village protest for their basic human rights, the poor tribal’s are put in the judicial custody for almost 9 days which is condemnable.

Discussions on the basic fundamental rights of Children living in a mining area being violated by the mining companies and the Government were also held.

Cooperative Society: The first Co-operative society ‘The Sadhana Multipurpose Co-operative Society Ltd’ have been formed by the mining-affected villagers of Caurem with a vision to carry out sustainable mining, but sadly the society is facing repression from the State Government to consider their demand. This shows that this government is being run by the mining agents and the Directorate of Mines & Geology is soft towards the mining companies.

It’s been more than 2 years since the central government through amendment of MMDR Act directed the state governments to form District Mineral Fund (DMF) for each district in which mining is being done. Unfortunately, DMF rules have not yet been framed for the state of Goa. The funds are getting accumulated which is not being put to proper use.

‘District Mineral Foundation funds being used for infrastructure’

Mines, Minerals and People (MM&P), and other organisations, will meet members of Parliament in New Delhi on July 26 to prevail upon them to pressure the government on the establishing of Future Generation Funds in all States for the welfare of the children, curbing of illegal mining, the proper utilisation of funds collected under District Mineral Foundation, and ensuring that mining leases are given only after the prior approval of the gram sabhas. Read more

State Level Consultation – Bellary, Karnataka

In the State Level Consultation at Bellary, there were discussions on the overview of mining throughout the country, various stages of mining, illegal mining, Samata Judgement, the situation of children in the mining areas and consequences on their education, health due to air and water pollution, malnutrition issues etc. There were sessions on Mining Rules & Law Amendments, DMF Structure, Set up & present status, Cooperative mining – shareholding for the tribals, Communities command over natural resources, Future Generation Fund (model of Goa), Women & Mining etc.

KMERC issue: Karnataka is the first state in the country to have a first of its kind Special Purpose Vehicle named ‘Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation for Reclamation and Rehabilitation of Mining Affected Community and Areas’. This SPV was constituted following the direction of the Supreme Court. Iron ore Miner’s contribute 10 per cent of sale proceeds to this SPV.

According to sources more than 10,000 crores is accumulated under this SPV from 2013 till date. State Legislature has No Control over the finances of this SPV. The Supreme Court has earlier rejected three socioeconomic R&R plans submitted by the Govt of Karnataka on the reason that State has included its regular schemes under this special plan meant for people and areas ravaged by illegal, reckless mining. The Court has set a deadline to the State Govt to submit R&R Plan by October’ 2018. In all likelihood, there is a fear that it will again turn into a big scam like illegal mining scam of Ballari. Since,

here too, till date, State Govt has not appointed two distinguished persons from civil society as Directors of the Corporation despite a recommendation by the Central Empowered Committee.

A short documentary film “Falling through the cracks – Children and Mining” was screened and followed by a detailed session on the plight of children in mining areas by the Secretary-General of mm&P. A Participatory approach was followed in sensitizing the people on the violation of child rights in the context of Children in mining areas.

CM reviews development works done through DMF

the pioneer Saturday, 08 July 2017 | Staff Reporter | Naya Raipur

Chief Minister Raman Singh on Friday chaired a meeting of District Mineral Foundation at the Mantralaya here.

The Chief Minister reviewed the development works underway in various districts from the funds utilised from DMF.

Chhattisgarh collected Rs 712.04 crores under ‘District Mineral Foundations’(DMFs) from all the 27 districts of the State where the Foundation had been established, the Central Government had informed last year. Read more

Niti Aayog and health ministry prepare model contract for privatising urban health care

Niti Aayog and the Union ministry for health and family welfare have proposed a model contract to increase the role of private hospitals in treating non-communicable diseases in urban India. The agreement, which has been been shared with states for their comments, allows private hospitals to bid for 30-year leases over parts of district hospital buildings and land to set up 50- or 100-bed hospitals in towns other than India’s eight largest metropolises.

According to the model contact, the district hospitals will need to share their back-end services such as blood banks and ambulance services with the private players. The state government could also provide part of the funds needed by these private players to set up the new hospitals. The district health administration will ensure referrals for treatment from primary health centres, community health centres, disease screening centres and other government health programmes and ventures are made to these private hospitals.

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Courtesy: Scroll.in

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