Marandi alleges misuse of Rs 3,700-Cr DMFT Fund in Chaibasa
PNS
Chaibasa
Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi has alleged large-scale misuse of the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) fund in West Singhbhum district, claiming that mining-affected areas have seen little improvement despite receiving nearly Rs 3,700 crore over the past decade.
Addressing a public meeting at Baraiburu in Saranda during the second day of his two-day visit to West Singhbhum, Marandi said the fund, created under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was meant to improve the lives of people living in mining-affected regions through investments in education, healthcare, drinking water, roads and other basic infrastructure.
He expressed disappointment that despite substantial allocations, the condition of villages in the mining belt has remained largely unchanged. “An average of more than Rs 300 crore has been deposited annually in Chaibasa’s DMFT fund over the last 10 years. One would have expected significant improvements within a five-to-seven-kilometre radius of mining areas, but I have not seen any visible change during my visit,” he said.
Marandi alleged that corruption and poor management had prevented the benefits of the fund from reaching local communities. He claimed that proper utilisation of the money could have transformed the region’s infrastructure and public services.
Recalling his visits to the area nearly 25 years ago, the BJP leader said residents were then struggling with iron-contaminated drinking water, a problem that, according to him, continues even today.
He assured villagers that he would raise their concerns with the district administration and the state government and take up the issue forcefully in the Jharkhand Assembly. Marandi also demanded an impartial investigation into the utilisation of the DMFT fund to ensure that it is spent exclusively on the welfare of mining-affected communities and the development of the region.
Former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, former MP Geeta Koda, former minister Badkunwar Gagrai and several BJP leaders, workers and local residents were present at the meeting.
