Odisha Sets Benchmark in Mining-Affected Development: Concurrent Evaluation Highlights Strong Impact of DMF Funds

Bhubaneswar 08.10.2025:A State-level workshop was organised by Planning and Convergence Department, Govt. Of Odisha to discuss the findings of the “Concurrent Evaluation of Functioning of District Mineral Foundations (DMF) and Implementation of DMF Projects in Angul, Jajpur, and Jharsuguda” districts. The workshop was chaired by Ms. Anu Garg, IAS, Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Odisha. The concurrent evaluation of the District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) in Angul, Jajpur, and Jharsuguda highlights that DMF has become a transformative mechanism for inclusive development in Odisha’s mining-affected areas. Over 32,000 projects have been sanctioned across the State in DMF districts so far out of which 13,244 sample study of projects and villages were taken up for evaluation; largely focused on health, education, livelihoods, drinking water, and infrastructure—bridging critical resource gaps. The evaluation found high socio-economic returns from investments such as piped water, roads, health facilities, and skill development programmes. DMF’s catalytic role is evident, with cost-benefit ratios showing particularly strong community impact in education and sanitation projects. The report recommends strengthening planning, monitoring, and sustainability, including 5-year perspective plans, structured operations and management protocols, and baseline surveys. It calls for capacity building, centralized digital repository to enable transparency and learning, and cross-district knowledge exchange. Moving forward, DMF can serve as catalytic capital for innovation – supporting just transition in coal districts and piloting scalable livelihood, skilling, and technology-led models.