New Delhi: In a significant move toward grassroots transformation and inclusive growth, the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, launched the ‘Aspirational DMF Programme’ on July 9, 2025, aligning District Mineral Foundation (DMF) efforts with the Aspirational District and Aspirational Block Programmes. The initiative was unveiled during the National DMF Workshop held in New Delhi by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G Kishan Reddy, alongside the release of the programme’s operational guidelines and the inauguration of a national DMF exhibition.
Convergence for Impact: Operational Guidelines Unveiled
The operational guidelines for the Aspirational DMF Programme are designed to ensure strategic convergence of DMF planning with the development goals outlined in the Aspirational District Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Block Programme (ABP). These guidelines aim to optimize the use of DMF funds by targeting key socio-economic indicators such as health, education, nutrition, and infrastructure in India’s most underserved and mining-affected areas.
National DMF Workshop: A Collaborative Platform
The workshop brought together more than 150 DMF representatives, including 62 District Collectors, State DMF Nodal Officers, and officials from key line Ministries. Addressing the gathering, Shri G Kishan Reddy emphasized the transformative power of DMF in India’s mining regions over the past decade, calling it a model of cooperative federalism and urging stakeholders to approach DMF as a mission-oriented tool for community-centric, inclusive development.
Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, reiterated DMF’s significance, stating that it is more than a fund—it is a mechanism to ensure last-mile delivery of benefits from India’s mineral wealth. He highlighted DMF’s contributions to sectors like healthcare, skilling, and education, particularly in marginalized areas.
Showcasing Progress: Presentations, Awards, and a Coffee Table Book
The workshop featured impactful presentations by thematic groups of District Magistrates, focusing on transparency, innovative best practices, implementation challenges, and capacity building. Representatives from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) also addressed the gathering, sharing insights into audit mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.
A key highlight was the launch of Coffee Table Book 2.0, documenting transformative DMF projects across India, offering a visual and narrative snapshot of development efforts in mining-affected communities.
Several states were felicitated for their achievements:
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Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Goa for adopting the PMKKKY 2024 guidelines into their DMF Rules.
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Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh for timely closure of annual audit reports, reflecting enhanced transparency and financial discipline.
The event concluded with the rollout of a district-level action plan for focused implementation of the revised Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) Guidelines 2024.
DMF Exhibition Inaugurated at Handloom Haat
Earlier in the day, Shri G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the DMF Exhibition at Handloom Haat (Janpath). Accompanied by MoS Shri Satish Chandra Dubey and Secretary Shri V L Kantha Rao, he visited stalls showcasing Self-Help Groups (SHGs) supported by DMF funds. The exhibition, running until July 15, 2025, provides a platform for SHGs from mining-affected districts to present their products and interact with a broader audience, highlighting the economic empowerment facilitated by DMF schemes.
Conclusion:
The launch of the Aspirational DMF Programme marks a new chapter in India’s effort to ensure inclusive, transparent, and sustainable development in mining-affected areas. By integrating DMF objectives with national priorities under the ADP and ABP, the Ministry of Mines has reaffirmed its commitment to “Viksit Bharat@2047 ” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat”, ensuring that the benefits of mineral wealth reach every corner of the nation through participatory governance and community-driven initiatives to empower mining-affected regions of our country.
For more details, check press release on PIB website.
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