A Geographical Analysis of Implementation of District Mineral Foundation works in Mining Area of Jharia Coalfield, Dhanbad, Jharkhand

Abstract

Mining is an important primary sector providing raw material to manufacturing sectors. While the mining operations provide employment opportunities and infrastructure facilities to local communities, these may also lead to negative externalities, including adverse environmental, health, and livelihood effects. The Indian government took cognisance of the welfare of the mining-affected communities, including tribal and forest-dwelling communities and hence, introduced the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund in March 2015 under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act 2015. Section 9B of the MMDR Amendment Act 2015 instructed the establishment of a DMF fund in every district affected by mining activities. Under the DMF scheme, the mining companies would pay 30 percent of the royalty amount for leases granted before 2015 and ten percent by the leases granted through the auction mechanism post-2015. The DMF aims to work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining-related operations (Ministry of Mines, 2015a).