Dikhyaa Mohanty 
To discuss the results of the “Concurrent Evaluation of Functioning of District Mineral Foundations (DMF) and Implementation of DMF Projects in Angul, Jajpur, and Jharsuguda” districts, the Planning and Convergence Department of the Government of Odisha organized a state-level workshop on Wednesday. Anu Garg, the Government of Odisha’s Development Commissioner and now Additional Chief Secretary, presided over the session.
The concurrent evaluation of the District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) in Angul, Jajpur, and Jharsuguda highlights that the 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 projects and villages were sampled for evaluation. These projects 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. The DMF’s catalytic role is evident, with cost-benefit ratios showing particularly strong community impact in education and sanitation projects.
