Category: DMF-News

Cyclone losses pegged at ` 40 cr

Herald | May 22, 2021

PANJIM: Pointing out that the State has suffered a loss of around Rs 40 crore due to the cyclone, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said that it will take another two days before essential supplies like water and power are restored across Goa. He added that these losses have been mostly incurred by the Power Department.

“It will take two more days for there to be normal smooth resumption of electricity and water supply,” Sawant said.

Sawant also announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh to families of persons who had passed away on account of the cyclone.

“We are extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to Tauktae cyclone in Goa. The government has sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh for every family of the deceased due to cyclone in the State. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this time of grief,” Sawant said on Twitter.

Against the backdrop of places like Taleigao, St Cruz, Mapusa and other parts of the State still not having power as on Wednesday morning, Sawant reasoned that delays are because they are short staffed.

He added that they have been getting manpower from other States to handle the repair related works. He also added that Goans cannot do some of the manual labour required, such as rebuilding broken pillars, collapsed transformers etc and thus the requirement for labour from other States.

The Power Department had earlier stated that it had brought manpower from other States as well, some of whom were flown in by air.

“Power supply to Bardez will be restored by today (Wedenesday) evening or tomorrow,” Sawant said after having reviewed the damage caused in Bardez taluka.

He added that around 135 houses have been damaged in Bardez and that he has instructed the Deputy Collector to use funds from the District Mineral Foundation (DMF). “There has been widespread damage to property in the State,” he added.

He reiterated that the government is committed to help all those who had suffered losses due to the devastation caused by the cyclone and help them rebuild their houses.

Later in the day after his visit to Tivim and surrounding areas, the CM also visited Bicholim taluka to review what he described as ‘widespread damage to property’. Here too he said that another 135 houses have been damaged and he assured that the government will provide necessary relief to the families affected to rebuild their houses.

Bengaluru: 100-bed super speciality hospital to come up at Hutti Gold Mines camp site

Daijiworld | May 19, 2021

Bengaluru, May 19: Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani laid the foundation for establishing a 100-bed super speciality hospital at Hutti Gold Mines campsite in Raichuru district on Wednesday.

The super speciality hospital will be jointly funded by Hutti Gold Mines Ltd (HGML), State Mines and Geology Department through District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Fund and State Labour department.

The camp site already has a 120-bed hospital exclusively for the medical needs of 5000-odd employees of HGML.

As covid-19 cases surged, the minister decided to convert 40-beds into oxygenated beds for the treatment of the patients. The new super-speciality hospital will come to the same campsite.

After laying the foundation for the facility, the minister ordered the HGML authorities to procure a CT scanner immediately.

“This will help detect Covid-19 infections among the people amid the growing number of cases in the second wave of Coronavirus,” he said.

Nirani also set in motion to set up a nursing college at Hutti Gold Mines campsite. This will help address shortage and provide placements to nurses and paramedics at hospitals in Raichuru district.

Minister Nirani had earlier announced to set up a Covid Care Centre in the vicinity of the HGML. This will help provide better treatment to the employees of Hutti Gold Mines and people in the surrounding villages that have been witnessing a growing number of Covid-19 cases.

The minister has instructed authorities to stop mining operations in Hutti Gold Mines in order to protect employees from Covid-19 pandemic.

He said it would be very difficult for the miners and other staff to maintain social distancing and other norms while carrying out mining operations underground and moving in a shaft.

The state government was more concerned about the well-being of employees than generating revenue during the public health crisis, Nirani said.

50% of DMF fund to be utilised for fighting corona infection in Durg

The Hitavada | May 19, 2021

All the members of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) emphasized on the use of DMF’s resources to deal with the corona infection in the meeting of DMF Governing Council held on Tuesday. Members said that keeping in view the apprehension of the third wave, it is very important that adequate arrangements are made to deal with it and for this adequate funds should be made available through DMF. In the meeting, the Minister in-charge of the district, Mohammad Akbar said that with the opinion and decision of the members, half the amount i.e. about Rs 3 crores should be reserved for expenditure under this head.

After consideration of the proposals of the honorable members from the remaining Rs 3 crore 38 lakh, work on them should be started. Home and PWD Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu said that the remaining amount should be sanctioned for the development works which are of the most urgent nature. Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey said that DMF will have to constantly update its resources to provide help. PHE Minister Guru Rudra Kumar said that DMF have continuously worked in this direction and further preparation will be very useful for us.

Durg MLA Arun Vora kept the major demands of the area in the meeting. Vaishali Nagar MLA Vidyaratan Bhasin said that the vaccination process will be long, construction work can be started from the DMF item at the vaccination sites so that people do not face problems in the rainy season. Bhilai MLA raised the issue of drinking water in the township. Collector Dr Bhure said that the BSP management has been told to change the technology of the filter plant and take immediate measures. The administration has conducted a re-test of drinking water and the quality has improved. At the meeting, Collector Dr Bhure informed in detail about the work done so far from DMF resources. He said that works worth Rs 133 crore have been proposed so far, most of which have been completed. Out of 3475 sanctioned works, 352 works are in progress. District Panchayat President Shalini Yadav, BMC Commissioner Rituraj Raghuvanshi, District Panchayat CEO Sachchidanand Alok, Risali Corporation Commissioner Prakash Surve and other officials were present in the meeting.

Mineral Foundation fund to be used to buy oxygen tankers in Karnataka

The New Indian Express | May 16, 2021

The state government on Saturday decided to utilise the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund for the purchase of oxygen tankers, oxygen concentrators,

The state government on Saturday decided to utilise the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund for the purchase of oxygen tankers, oxygen concentrators, pulse oximeters and other emergency medical needs.

A meeting chaired by Mines and Geology minister Murugesh R Nirani decided to utilise funds available under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund to tackle the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, said a statement issued by the minister’s office.

As per the decisions taken at the meeting, the authorities will procure 10 cryogenic oxygen tankers — two each will be provided to four revenue divisions in the state, and two oxygen tankers will be sent to the coastal region. Regional Commissioners will be given the power to manage and monitor the movements of these oxygen tankers, the statement said.

DMF funds for pandemic treatment

The Hindu | May 13, 2021

The Mines and Geology Department has allowed Dakshina Kannada district administration to utilise funds available under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) for purchase of oxygen tankers, medicines and other health related items needed to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

The department has decided to consider similar demands from other districts.

The decision was taken after BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel appealed to Mines and Geology Minister Murugesh Nirani seeking utilisation of funds under DMF owing to fund crunch faced by the authorities. Mr. Kateel recently spoke to Mr. Nirani and requested him to allow the district to use funds under DMF for purchase of emergency medical needs such as oxygen tankers which are essential to stock oxygen and transport it to hospitals treating COVID patients.

A note from Mr. Nirani’s office said that the Karnataka government had set up the DMF for development of mining-ravaged districts in the State. The funds can be used for welfare schemes such as health, pollution control, women and child development, drinking water supply, sanitation, education, skill development, power generation and irrigation, the note said.

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