Kumar Bahukhandi
Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka, centre, chairs a review of District Mineral Foundation projects at Lok Bhavan in Raipur on 5 November 2026.Photo:channel24india.com via CG/DPR
The Chhattisgarh Governor asked collectors to consult residents before setting spending priorities and give special attention to development projects in Bastar.
Key Highlights
- Governor Ramen Deka called for a roadmap covering at least two years, with pollution control as the first priority and attention to education, healthcare and infrastructure.
- Collectors were asked to consult mining-affected communities, hold regular review meetings and verify completed works on site.
- Deka called for priority completion of PMAY homes, special medical camps for vulnerable tribal groups and better access to welfare schemes for displaced families.
Raipur: Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka on Thursday, 5 November 2026, directed officials to prepare a roadmap covering at least two years for the use of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds in mining-affected areas. He said pollution control should be the first priority, with education, healthcare and infrastructure also receiving attention.
Deka issued the directions at Lok Bhavan during a review of ongoing DMF projects and the proposed five-year action plan. He asked officials to involve environmental experts in planning pollution-control measures and work with industries to ensure compliance with environmental standards.
Calling for a campaign to promote scientific methods of river sand extraction, Deka said, “If there is sand, there will be water, and if there is water, there will be sand.”
The Governor asked collectors to speak directly with residents before drawing up district plans and to involve elected representatives in implementing development projects. He said administrations should explain which proposals could be taken up and hold regular DMF meetings to review progress. Drawing a parallel with MGNREGA, he also called for DMF projects to create public assets and for officials to verify on site that completed works were benefiting residents.
Chhattisgarh Governor Ramen Deka, right in the upper frame, reviews District Mineral Foundation projects at Lok Bhavan in Raipur on 5 November 2026. The lower frame shows officials participating in the meeting.Photo:channel24india.com via CG/DPR
Deka directed officials to give special priority to development works in Bastar and ensure that people who have returned to the mainstream receive rehabilitation support, social security and other welfare benefits. He also reviewed assistance for families displaced in mining-affected areas and asked officials to ensure eligible households receive the benefits available to them.
The Governor asked districts to prioritise completion of homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in mining-affected areas. He also directed officials to organise special medical camps and health awareness programmes for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, taking each community’s needs into account.
Mineral Resources Department Secretary P. Dayanand briefed the Governor on DMF Portal 2.0, which provides project-level information and is used to track the progress of individual works. Secretary to the Governor Dr C. R. Prasanna, department officials and collectors from mining-affected districts attended the meeting.
