**Executive Summary**
On March 23, 2026, Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the two-day National District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Summit at the SCOPE Convention Centre, New Delhi. The summit focuses on the effective and transparent utilization of DMF funds for sustainable development in mining-affected regions, specifically targeting Aspirational District and Block programs. Key objectives include enhancing stakeholder coordination and ensuring that equitable benefits reach local communities and last-mile beneficiaries.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Summit Objectives and Themes**
* The central theme is the "Effective Utilisation of DMF Funds for Aspirational District Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Block Programme (ABP) Areas."
* Focus on outcome-oriented utilization through convergence, transparency, and monitoring.
* Emphasis on prioritizing environmental protection, livelihood restoration, and inclusive development for local communities.
* **Policy and Governance Frameworks**
* Implementation of the "3Cs" (Convergence, Collaboration, Competition) and "3Fs" (Funds, Functions, Functionaries) to transform aspirational areas.
* Utilization of the Panchayat Advancement Index portal, which uses 435 indicators across nine themes aligned with Sustainable Development Goals to enable data-driven governance.
* **Mining Sector Reforms**
* Announcement that approximately 200 mining blocks have been auctioned in the current financial year.
* Ongoing reforms aimed at ensuring mining benefits reach the most remote beneficiaries.
* **Knowledge Sharing and Best Practices**
* States including Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand shared best practices regarding saturation-based implementation and developmental impact.
* An exhibition showcased impactful initiatives and products from DMF beneficiaries across various states, including Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Karnataka.
**Impact Analysis**
**Local Communities in Mining-Affected Areas**
**Impact:** Recognized as primary contributors to natural resources, these communities are positioned to receive equitable benefits and improved livelihood restoration.
**Action Required:** Engage with DMF-funded initiatives and development projects aimed at environmental and economic recovery.
**State and District Administrations**
**Impact:** Required to shift toward data-driven governance and "saturation-based" implementation of projects.
**Action Required:** Utilize the Panchayat Advancement Index for monitoring and ensure DMF funds are converged with other developmental programs for maximum impact.
**Ministry of Mines and NITI Aayog**
**Impact:** Tasked with strengthening inter-departmental coordination and oversight of fund utilization.
**Action Required:** Continue monitoring the auctioning of mining blocks and provide frameworks (like the 3Cs and 3Fs) to ensure transparent and outcome-oriented fund management.
**DMF Beneficiaries (Artisans and Local Producers)**
**Impact:** Increased visibility for their products and initiatives through national-level exhibitions and direct interaction with Union leadership.
**Action Required:** Continue developing local products and success stories that highlight the transformative role of DMF funding.
Key Entities Referenced
District Mineral Foundation (DMF): Statutory bodies established in mining-affected districts to utilize funds for the interest and benefit of local communities and sustainable development.
Aspirational District Programme (ADP): A flagship government initiative aimed at transforming underdeveloped districts, serving as a key framework for the convergence and utilization of DMF funds.
Aspirational Block Programme (ABP): A national development initiative focused on improving governance and service delivery at the block level, targeted for outcome-oriented DMF fund utilization.
National DMF Summit 2026: A two-day national event organized to share best practices and strengthen coordination for the effective use of mining-related development funds.
Ministry of Mines: The primary central ministry responsible for oversight of the mining sector and the implementation of reforms related to District Mineral Foundations.
Ministry of Mines
Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy Inaugurates
the National DMF Summit ; Two-Day National
DMF Summit Commences
Posted On: 23 MAR 2026 9:15PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Coal & Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, inaugurated the two day National District
Mineral Foundation (DMF) Summit 2026 at the SCOPE Convention Centre, New Delhi today. On the
sidelines of the Summit, an exhibition alao inaugurated by Shri Reddy showcased impactful initiatives and
success stories from various States, highlighting the transformative role of DMF in mining-affected
regions.
The two-day National DMF Summit commenced today in the presence of Secretary, Ministry of Mines,
Shri Piyush Goyal, bringing together key stakeholders to deliberate on effective utilisation of DMF funds
for sustainable and inclusive development.
In his address, Shri G. Kishan Reddy emphasised that local communities have a significant contribution to
the nation’s natural resources and must receive equitable benefits. He underlined the need to prioritise
environmental protection, livelihood restoration, and overall development in mining-affected areas.Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Shri Piyush Goyal highlighted that around 200 mining blocks have been
auctioned in the current financial year, reflecting ongoing reforms in the sector aimed at ensuring benefits
reach last-mile beneficiaries.
The Summit, themed “Effective Utilisation of District Mineral Foundation Funds for Aspirational District
Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Block Programme (ABP) Areas,” focuses on outcome-oriented
utilisation through convergence, transparency, and monitoring.
Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, highlighted the Panchayat
Advancement Index portal, which enables data-driven governance through 435 indicators across nine
themes aligned with Sustainable Development Goals.
Shri Rohit Kumar, Additional Secretary, NITI Aayog, emphasised the “3Cs” — Convergence,
Collaboration, Competition — and “3Fs” — Funds, Functions, Functionaries — as key drivers for
transforming Aspirational areas into Inspirational ones.
During Day 1, states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand shared best practices,
focusing on convergence, saturation-based implementation, and maximising developmental impact.
The Summit is expected to strengthen coordination among stakeholders and enhance effective utilisation
of DMF funds for inclusive and sustainable development.
At the exhibition organized on the sidelines, DMF beneficiaries from the states of Chhattisgarh,
Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu
showcased their products. The Hon’ble Union Minister of Coal and Mines interacted with them also.****
Prajith Kumar
(Release ID: 2244198) Visitor Counter : 110