The Bombay High Court at Goa on Tuesday admitted the public interest litigation filed over non-functioning of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF).
The division bench comprising Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Dama Seshadri Naidu directed State government to file an affidavit in respond to a PIL within two weeks.
The PIL is been filed by Sudesh Narayan Gaonkar of Velguem and Nilesh Harishcnadra Velip of Collem, together with the Goa Foundation, drawing the Court’s notice to the non-functioning of the two District Mineral Foundations.
The PIL writ petition states that both DMFs have accumulated funds to the tune of approximately Rs.90 crore each. These are spending funds. They must be spent for the welfare of people affected by mining in mining talukas.
The PIL also states that more than 40 proposals have been received for financial support including for rehabilitation of productive assets like irrigation sources and paddy fields by one DMF alone. However, despite the conditions of distress in the mining belt due to non-start of mining, the two DMFs have simply abandoned their statutory responsibilities and the applications remain pending.
The petition has challenged the legality of the circular issued by the Ministry of Mines, recommending diversion of 30 percent funds towards COVID management.
The PIL has also demanded an exclusive website for achieving total transparency relating to DMF functioning. The present website which is part of the DMG website does not provide any worthwhile information.