Meghalaya has received Rs 135.08 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) since its implementation to date.
PMKKKY is a scheme to implement various developmental and welfare projects/programmes in mining-affected areas.
The subject was raised by Shella MLA Balajied K Synrem during question hour in the Assembly today. In response, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma also informed that Rs 9.67 crore was directed for East Khasi Hills under the scheme for 2022-23.
Works implemented under the PMKKKY in Sohra civil sub-division, under which Shella falls, are the improvement of water supply to the circuit house, a new pumping water supply scheme from a nearby spring source amounting to Rs 21.8 lakh and the construction of rainwater harvesting for the circuit house.
Informing that the MLAs are members of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF), Sangma said that this is a trust that is chaired by the Deputy Commissioner. Screening of projects and financial sanction for them are done at the district level.
He said that the state government does not in any way intervene or interfere in the entire process of selection of the projects or the sanctioning of funds. In 2022, MPs and MLAs of the concerned districts were made members of the DMFs.
Synrem further questioned whether mining-affected areas are given first priority under the scheme. Sangma replied that PMKKKY guidelines do specify that the directly affected areas must be focused on first and then the indirectly affected areas. However, it is the independent district foundations that decide on the projects.
“We will once again ensure that we send the message that the guidelines should be strictly followed. That much we can do because the committees are independent in nature and hence they completely take the decision independently,” the CM added.
