District Level Consultation – Markapuram, Prakasam
District Level Consultation on Children in Mining Area, DMF & Illegal Mining was conducted at Markapuram, Prakasham, Andhra Pradesh.
The Consultation was attended by the RDO, Mr. Ramkrishna Reddy, AD Mines & Geology, A.P., Mr. E. Narsimha Reddy & ALO Mr. Suresh among the State Govt. Officials. Mr. RDO spoke about the various Govt. Schemes and suggested the gathering to utilize the benefits of the schemes and about PMKKKY (Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojna) launched by the Central Govt. in 2015 to provide for the welfare of areas and people affected by mining-related operations, using the funds generated by District Mineral Foundations (DMFs).
Hon. AD Mines & Geology said that Prakasam has received 48 crores for DMF and the money is already being used for the anganwadi centres, Health, sanitation and Education purposes. He mentioned that if there is any requirement from any village for village development and if the Gram Sabha approves of the same, the state govt. will sanction money for such development purposes. He also said that in 2017-2018, 260 cases of illegal sand mining cases have been filed and action is being taken accordingly.
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. A Participatory approach was followed in sensitizing the people on the violation of child rights in the context of Children in mining areas.