Context:
Recently center revised the guidelines of Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana fund distribution
Revised fund distribution:
- 70% – High priority areas (earlier 60%)
- 30% – Other priority areas (earlier 40%)
- High priority sector – Drinking water supply, environment preservation and pollution control measures, health care, education, welfare of women and children, welfare of aged and differently abled etc.
- Other Priority Sectors – Physical infrastructure, irrigation, energy and watershed development and any other measures for enhancing environmental quality in the mining affected district.
Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY):
- Launched in – 2015
- Under – Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957
- Ministry – Ministry of Mines
- Aim – To ensure welfare of areas and people affected by mining – related operations
- Key Objectives –
- To implement various developmental and welfare projects by District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) in mining affected areas
- To minimize the adverse impacts during mining
- To ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected people
- Funded by – District Mineral Foundations (DMF)
- Other features –
- Special provisions for scheduled castes
- Provides yearly audit of the accounts of the DMFs
District Mineral Foundations (DMFs):
- Status – Non- profit trust
- Under – MMDR Act
- Set up by – State Governments in all mining affected areas
- Funding – Mining companies are required to contribute 10% and 30% of the royalty to DMFs
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements:
1. Sand is a ‘minor mineral’ according to the prevailing law in the country.
2. State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Central Government.
3. State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Statement 2 is not correct. The power to frame policy and legislation relating to minor minerals is entirely delegated to the State Governments
