Coronavirus relief package: States urged to use District Mineral Fund for medical-testing, screening facilities

The Centre is looking at measures such as dipping into the District Mineral Fund (DMF) and offering free cooking gas cylinders to support families in the midst of the Covid-19 lockdown.

As of January, the total amount accrued under the DMF by the 21 mineral-rich States stood at ₹35,925.39 crore. The allocated amount stood at ₹30,651.59 crore, while the amount spent was at ₹12,414.38 crore. If the allocation for existing projects is left undisturbed, the 21 States will be left with about ₹5,000 crore for therelief measures.

“We will request the State governments to utilise the funds which are available under the District Mineral Fund for supplementing and augmenting medical testing, screening and other activities,” Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while announcing a ₹1.7-lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package aimed at supporting the rural and urban poor affected by the lockdown.