Lok Sabha Question No. 1255 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-25
Subject: Welfare Work in Mining Areas
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: PASHUPATI NATH SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1255 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25 TH  JULY, 2016

## WELFARE WORK IN MINING AREAS

## †1255. SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is mandatory for the mining companies to undertake welfare work/programme in tribal areas of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the rules under which it is being undertaken;
- (c) whether  many  companies  have  not  undertaken  the  said  welfare  work/  programmes during the last three years;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  listed  welfare  work  not  carried  out  by  the companies, company-wise; and
- (e) the corrective steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)  to  (e):  Details  of  welfare  activities  by  mining  companies  under  Corporate  Social Responsibility  ( CSR ) are not being centrally maintained by the Ministry of Mines.

However, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) ( MMDR ) Act, 1957 which has  been  amended  through  the  MMDR  Amendment Act, 2015 which has  come into force with effect from 12th January, 2015, provides mandatory provision of setting up of District Mineral Foundation ( DMF )  in  every  district  affected  by  mining  activities,  which  are  to  be funded through contributions received from the holders of mining leases. Funds so collected are to be used to work for the interest and benefit of persons, and areas, affected by mining related operations. State Governments are empowered to frame rules for the manner in which DMF shall work for the interest and benefit of persons and areas affected by mining as also the composition and functions of DMF.

To facilitate synergy in implementation of DMF across the States, the Government of India has launched the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana ( PMKKKY ) with the objective  of  welfare  of  areas  and  people  affected  by  mining  related  operations,  using  the funds generated by District Mineral Foundations. At least 60% of PMKKKY funds will be utilized for high priority areas  like: (i) drinking water supply; (ii) environment preservation and  pollution  control  measures;  (iii)  health  care  (iv)  education;  (v)  welfare  of  women  and children;  (vi)  welfare  of  aged  and  disabled  people;  (vii)  skill  development;  (viii)  skill development; and (ix) Sanitation. The rest of the funds will be utilized for the following: (i) physical infrastructure; (ii) irrigation; (iii) energy and watershed development; and (iv) any other measures for enhancing environmental quality in mining districts.

The  Central  Government  has  issued  a  directive  to  the  State  Governments,  under Section  20A  of  the  MMDR  Act,  1957,  laying  down  the  guidelines  for  implementation  of PMKKKY and directing the States to incorporate the same in the rules being framed by them for DMFs.

Rule  12(1)(l)  of  the  the  Minerals  (Other  than  Atomic  and  Hydro  Carbons  Energy Minerals) Concession  Rules, 2016, provides that the lessee shall, in the matter of employment, give preference to the tribals and to the persons who become displaced because of the taking up of mining operations.

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