SHILLONG: The secretary of Shella Dorbar Shnong, Roy Kupar Synrem, has petitioned the deputy commissioner-cum-chairperson of District Mineral Foundation (DMF), East Khasi Hills, for implementation of Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) Scheme.
Synrem requested the DC to activate the DMF at the earliest and to start implementing the scheme as per the rules and guidelines for the welfare and interest of the village.
He pointed out that Shella village is one of the directly affected areas where mining related operations are located and as such is eligible for various developmental and welfare projects/programmes under the PMKKKY scheme as per the guidelines of September 16, 2015.
The state government had accordingly framed rules — The Meghalaya District Mineral Foundation Rules, 2017 — for implementing the PMKKKY scheme and these came into force on December 8, 2017.
The rules provide for the establishment of the district mineral foundations, the manner of working and receipt of contributions thereto, in all mineral-bearing districts in the state, for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining related operations and for purposes connected therewith.
The government constituted the governing council of the District Mineral Foundation in which the deputy commissioner is the chairman/chairperson.
Synrem said the DMF, East Khasi Hills was constituted since May, 2018. However, it has not been able to implement any project under PMKKKY scheme in the district till date.
He stated that as per information received from the Public Information Officer, Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR), Shillong, an amount of Rs 13,42,73,616 was transferred to the DMF, East Khasi Hills on September 26, 2018.
He pointed out that the balance amount of contribution to the DMF Fund as on November 30, 2018 of Rs 2, 60, 46,168 is lying with the DMR.
Synrem said that the activation of the DMF in the district and implementation of the PMKKKY Scheme as mandated by the Centre will bring a lot of benefits to the residents and the village as a whole if activities specified/listed in Para 2 of PMKKKY are carried out.
He said that the village of Shella still requires a lot of attention and assistance for drinking water supply, health care, education, sanitation, environment protection, roads and other sectors, which can be attended to by implementing the scheme.
