By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar,  November 19, 2017: Odisha has received Rs 3,548 crore till October last under District Mineral Foundation (DMF) trust fund to carry out development works in mineral bearing areas.

This was revealed at a high level review meeting chaired by chief secretary A.P. Padhi on Saturday.

The total amount allocated for various projects, schemes and works sanctioned out of DMF is pegged at Rs 1,862 crore.

Padhi directed the officials to identify and build up a shelf of projects at least three times of the annual accrual in the DMF Fund under high priority and other priority areas indicated in the Odisha District Mineral Foundation Trust Rules.

The high priority items include drinking water, health, education, women and child welfare, and nutrition while the other priority items include infrastructure, electricity and irrigation.

These projects are to be forwarded to the respective DMF Trust Boards through Planning and Convergence Department for their consideration, said the official.

The Chief Secretary further directed the implementing departments to strengthen their field formations by redeployment for faster implementation of the DMF sponsored projects.