**Executive Summary:**
This document presents the Ministry of Mines' response to questions regarding mineral block auctions/allotments in Odisha since 2022, revenue collected, and District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund utilization. The response, dated July 30, 2025, provides details on mineral blocks, royalty collections (none from the specified blocks), DMF fund balances, expenditures, and projects funded. It also clarifies that DMF funds are non-l lapsable.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Mineral Blocks:**
* 22 major mineral blocks have been auctioned or allotted in Odisha since 2022.
* The list of blocks, mineral types, auction dates, and operational status (all non-operational) are detailed in the Annexure.
* **Revenue Collection:**
* No royalty, premium, or other levies have been collected from these 22 blocks during FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25.
* Total DMF collections across all 30 districts of Odisha were Rs. 4,582.78 Cr in FY 2023-24 and Rs. 4,270.88 Cr in FY 2024-25.
* DMF collections in Sundargarh district were Rs. 1,518.27 Cr in FY 2023-24 and Rs. 1,620.38 Cr in FY 2024-25.
* **District Mineral Foundation (DMF):**
* The balance available under DMF as of March 31, 2025, was Rs. 13,786.71 Cr.
* Expenditure incurred during FY 2023-24 was Rs. 3,026.10 Cr.
* Major projects are funded as per the Odisha DMF Rules, 2015, in permissible high-priority sectors.
* No diversion of DMF funds has been reported.
* DMF is a non-l lapsable fund; unutilized balances are carried forward.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **State Government of Odisha:**
* *Impact:* Required to provide data on mineral block auctions, revenue collection, and DMF fund status. Responsible for adhering to DMF rules in project funding.
* *Action Required:* Continue to oversee DMF fund utilization according to established rules and report on mineral block operational status and revenue generation as it occurs.
* **Ministry of Mines:**
* *Impact:* Accountable for providing information to the Lok Sabha regarding mineral auctions and DMF operations in Odisha.
* *Action Required:* Monitor the progress of mineral block operationalization and the impact of DMF-funded projects in Odisha.
* **Sundargarh District Administration:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for managing and utilizing DMF funds collected within the district.
* *Action Required:* Ensure DMF funds are used in accordance with Odisha DMF Rules, 2015, and prioritize projects in high-priority sectors.
* **Citizens of Odisha (especially Sundargarh District):**
* *Impact:* Benefit from projects funded by the DMF, which aim to improve living standards in mining-affected areas.
* *Action Required:* No direct action required, but can engage with local authorities to provide input on DMF project priorities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Mines: A ministry in the Government of India responsible for the administration of mines and minerals.
Odisha: A state in eastern India, where the mineral blocks mentioned in the document are located.
District Mineral Foundation (DMF): A fund established in each district affected by mining-related operations, as mandated by the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to address the needs and concerns of the affected communities.
Shri Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka: A Member of Parliament who raised the question about DMF in Odisha.
Sundargarh District: A district in Odisha, specifically mentioned for DMF collections.
Shri G. Kishan Reddy: The Minister of Coal and Mines who provided the answer to the question.
Odisha DMF Rules, 2015: The set of rules governing the operation and utilization of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds in Odisha.
Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957: The legal framework which mandates the establishment of District Mineral Foundations (DMFs).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1791
ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025
DMF IN ODISHA
1791. SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:
Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:
(a) the details of number and names of mineral blocks auctioned or allotted in Odisha
since 2022 along with their current operational status and projected annual production
capacities;
(b) the total royalty, premium and other levies collected from these mines during the
years 2023-24 and 2024-25 and the amounts credited to Odisha and to the
Sundargarh District Mineral Foundation (DMF); and
(c) the details of the balance available in DMF as of 31 March, 2025 along with the
expenditure incurred in the year 2023-24, the major projects funded and the reasons
for any unspent or diverted amounts?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) As per the information received from the State Government of Odisha, 22 major
mineral blocks have been auctioned or allotted in Odisha since 2022. The details are
given at Annexure.
b) As per information received from the State Government of Odisha, no royalty,
premium, or other levies have been collected from these 22 blocks during the years
2023–24 and 2024–25.
Further, a total of Rs. 4,582.78 Cr and Rs. 4,270.88 Cr have been collected
under DMF in all 30 districts of Odisha for FYs 2023–24 and 2024–25 respectively. In
Sundargarh district, Rs. 1,518.27 Cr and Rs. 1,620.38 Cr were collected during FYs
2023–24 and 2024–25 respectively.
c) As per the information received from the State Government of Odisha, the balance
available under DMF as on 31st March 2025 was Rs.13,786.71 Cr. and the expenditure
incurred during the 2023-24 was Rs. 3026.10 Cr.The major projects funded out of DMF fund are undertaken as per various
permissible high priority sectors prescribed in the Odisha DMF Rules, 2015. No
diversion of DMF funds has been reported by the State. Further, DMF is a non-
lapsable fund. Any unutilized balance at the end of a financial year is carry forward
and remains available for utilization in subsequent years.
*****Annexure
List of mineral blocks auctioned or allotted since 2022 in Odisha
S. Name of the Block Mineral Date of Operational
No. auction Status
1 Behera Bhanjipali Limestone Limestone 29.03.2022 Non-operational
Block
2 Naringpanga Graphite Block Graphite 29.03.2022 Non-operational
3 Ballada Block Bauxite 14.02.2023 Non-operational
4 Sijimali Block Bauxite 08.02.2023 Non-operational
5 Kutrumali Block Bauxite 10.02.2023 Non-operational
6 Uskalavagu Block Limestone 08.02.2023 Non-operational
7 Kendudhi North Block Iron & 14.03.2023 Non-operational
Manganese Ore
8 Kusumdhi Block Manganese Ore 14.03.2023 Non-operational
9 Kedesala North East Block Iron Ore 17.03.2023 Non-operational
10 Roida-I Iron Ore & Iron Ore & 18.06.2025 Non-operational
Manganese Block Manganese
11 Jumka Pathiriposhi west Iron Iron Ore 12.06.2023 Non-operational
Ore Block
12 Koira Iron Ore Block Iron Ore 24.06.2025 Non-operational
13 Bhanjikusum Manganese Manganese 13.06.2025 Non-operational
Block
14 Jalahuri Iron Ore & Iron ore & 24.06.2025 Non-operational
Manganese Block Manganese
15 Orahuri Manganese & Iron Manganese & 21.06.2025 Non-operational
Ore Block Iron ore
16 Putulipani Iron ore block Iron Ore 30.06.2025 Non-operational
17 Roida-D Manganese Block Manganese & 26.06.2025 Non-operational
Iron ore
18 Lumurajhala(SE) Quartz Quartz 16.11.2022 Non-operational
Block
Critical and Strategic Mineral
19 Babja Graphite and Graphite and 19.03.2024 Non-operational
Manganese Block Manganese Ore
20 Biarpalli Graphite and Graphite and 15.03.2024 Non-operational
Manganese Block Manganese
21 Akharkata Graphite Block Graphite 19.03.2024 Non-operational
22 Salepali Graphite Block Graphite 15.05.2025 Non-operational