Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today informed the Assembly that the central government has allowed states to spend 30 per cent of their District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds for Covid-19 relief.
In that cause the state government has used Rs 5.45 crore of the DMF funds for coronavirus-related expenses. Last month, however, it was reported that Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said that Rs 8.9 crore had been spent from the fund for setting up relief camps and screening points.
Meanwhile, in response to a question from Mawsynram MLA Himalaya Shangpliang, Sangma said that Rs 10.5 crore has been released in this financial year (2020-21) under the DMF, compared to Rs 14.17 crore last year.
In 2019-20 East Khasi Hills received Rs 12.65 crore, West Jaiñtia Hills Rs 1.5 crore and East Garo Hills Rs 2.67 lakh.
In 2020-21 East Khasi Hills received Rs 1.25 crore, South West Khasi Hills Rs 94.48 lakh, Ri-Bhoi Rs 47.92 lakh, East Jaiñtia Hills Rs 7.64 crore, West Jaiñtia Hills Rs 19.25 lakh and East Garo Hills Rs 3.05 lakh.
Funds from the foundation are spent on construction and renovation of school buildings, Anganwadi centres, healthcare, construction and repair of roads, water supply schemes, environmental protection, rejuvenation of streams and rivers and expenditure in connection with preventing the spread of Covid-19.
