Chhattisgarh uses DMF funds to set up English medium schools, distribute mosquito nets

Funds collected from mining lease holders in the state are also being utilised to set up Government English medium schools in every district of Chhattisgarh, say government sources.

The District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) had been set up by the earlier BJP government in the state and from January 2016, some development projects were launched with funds received from mining lease holders. The Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government made ministers responsible for specific districts and Gram Sabha members were included in the committees. Government sources say the state has been collecting on an average around Rs 1,200 Crore p.a. under this scheme. The amount is then distributed to all district trusts and not confined to only mineral bearing areas.

Another change made was to ensure that 50 percent of the members from the Gram Sabhas are from Scheduled Tribes and 50 percent of them are women. These committees were tasked with making five-year plans. Only 20 percent of the funds are spent on physical infrastructure.

Records show that last year Dantewada collected Rs 422 crore. Out of this fund, various roads, buildings and bridges etc were constructed in the mining-affected areas, benefiting about 1,250 rural families under six Gram Panchayats. Besides, 143 Gram Panchayats are being developed as tourism hubs.

The entire Bastar region is infested with mosquitoes. So, the state government provided mosquito nets to 65,000 families directly or indirectly affected by mining activities in Dantewada. Similarly, under the Mukhyamantri Haat Bazar Clinic Scheme, 49,980 people were given medical assistance through 19 medical camps. Thanks to these steps, the number of malnourished children is declining steadily.

Maharani Hospital in Jagdalpur was renovated and upgraded with DMFT funds. The hospital has been functioning since 1937 as the largest government hospital in Bastar. It was made a medical college in 2006 and named as Baliram Kashyap Medical College. Two years ago, the hospital was separated from the medical college and 12 more doctors and 113 paramedical workers were appointed. The hospital was also upgraded with New Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Paediatric ICU, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and High Dependency Unit (HDU).

Similarly, many facilities have been provided at super specialty hospital in Bijapur. In Rajgarh, work has been done towards the eradication and treatment of leprosy. So far 4,674 people have become been fully cured of leprosy. Besides Dantewada, a number of schemes to provide drinking water, health and education facilities through DMFT funds are being run in Jashpur, Surguja and Kanker districts.

The ‘Sankalp’ coaching in Jashpur is also being run out of DMFT fund. Under the Yashaswi Jashpur scheme, efforts are being made to provide quality education to the children in the region. The objective of the scheme is to create a conducive environment for education right from pre-school up to higher education so that children can realise their full potential and have ample opportunities for progress.

In 81 Anganwadi centres spread over 20 Gram Panchayats in Mungeli district, provision has been made to provide nutritious food, eggs and nutrition supplements to all malnourished children from six months to three years of age and all children aged between three and six years coming to Anganwadi.

The government is also promoting organic farming and storage and processing units of agricultural products in various districts. Employment opportunities for women are also being created through this.

In Dantewada district, e-rickshaws have been provided to women with this fund to help them earn their livelihood. The women self-help groups are being provided financial aid for setting up mini rice mills and fisheries. In the Haram village of Geedam block of Dantewada district, a garment factory has been set up with DMF fund to provide livelihood to the local women.

There are also plans to set up similar garment factories at other places including Barsur and Bacheli with an objective to provide employment to about one thousand women.