Hyderabad: Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Wednesday reaffirmed that the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) was set up in 2015 to ensure the welfare of local communities dependent on natural resources. Speaking at a workshop in Delhi marking a decade of DMF, Reddy said ₹1 lakh crore had been mobilised under the scheme, with ₹90,000 crore sanctioned for development works across 646 districts.
He noted that DMF is a key component of the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana, focused on improving lives in mining-affected areas. Stressing the role of the mineral sector in achieving a developed India by 2047, Reddy said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s outreach to countries like Ghana, Brazil, and Namibia aimed at strengthening global mineral supply chains and enhancing self-reliance.
The Minister highlighted major milestones including the production of 1 billion tonnes of coal and a sharp decline in imports. Emphasising sustainability, he said DMFs must focus on both mining and welfare, including health, nutrition, and education in aspirational districts. Collectors across 106 such districts have ₹32,000 crore at their disposal under DMF.
Reddy urged officials to integrate DMF efforts with CSR, government schemes, and mine closure programs. He also stressed local participation, especially of women and youth, and called for enhanced transparency. Odisha’s DMF corpus alone stands at ₹33,324 crore, he said.
On the regulatory front, Reddy credited the Modi government with replacing discretionary mine allocations with auctions, leading to higher royalty collections. He said this revenue should be directly channelled into local welfare, with district collectors accountable for mine closures and safety protocols.
He acknowledged Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for implementing revised DMF guidelines. In Telangana, district collectors now chair DMF committees, similar to the existing practice in Andhra Pradesh. Local MPs, MLAs, and MLCs are being involved in planning to avoid political interference and improve accountability.
At the National District Mineral Foundation Workshop held in New Delhi, launched the District Mineral Foundation(DMF) Guidelines for Aspirational Districts, a new step in our endeavors for inclusive, grassroots development.
Over the past decade, DMFs have played a pivotal role… pic.twitter.com/dLcpghKYqj
— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) July 9, 2025
