Utilise DMF funds to complete hostel, PHC buildings: Kollu

Minister for Mines and Excise, Kollu Ravindra, has directed officials to expedite the construction of hostels, Anganwadi centres, and Primary Health Centre (PHC) buildings using funds from the District Mineral Foundation (DMF).
During a meeting with the district Collector and MLAs of Krishna district on Monday, the Minister emphasised the need to prioritise the use of DMF funds for completing pending works on Anganwadi centres, hostels, PHCs, and school buildings across the district.
Krishna district Collector, DK Balaji, informed the Minister that Rs 20 crore is currently available from the DMF to undertake developmental works. He explained that 55 percent of the funds could be utilised for providing drinking water, improving sewerage systems, developing PHCs, addressing mining-related health issues, and for insurance schemes, schools, laboratories, libraries, toilets, dormitories, and skill centres.
Furthermore, 40 per cent of the funds can be allocated for the construction of roads, bridges, irrigation projects, and other infrastructure, while the remaining 5 per cent would cover administrative expenses for the Mines and Underground Department.
Collector Balaji briefed that from the available Rs 20 crore, Rs 8 crore has been earmarked for repairs in social welfare and BC welfare hostels, Rs 2 crore for purchasing health equipment, Rs 15 lakh for tribal welfare works, and Rs 50 lakh for setting up an aqua laboratory. An additional Rs 11 crore has been proposed for various development and welfare works in all constituencies.
Minister Kollu Ravindra also directed the allocation of DMF funds for the construction of a BC Study Circle and Ambedkar Bhavan. He instructed the Collector to collect mandal-wise data on incomplete Anganwadi centres, PHCs, and hostel buildings from the MPDOs and ensure that DMF funds are utilised effectively.
The Minister expressed concern over government offices functioning from rented premises and urged the allocation of funds for constructing permanent buildings. He stressed the importance of establishing filter beds to provide safe drinking water.
MLAs Bode Prasad, Yarlagadda Venkata Rao, V. Kumar Raja, Kagita Krishna Prasad, and officials from the Panchayat Raj and R&B departments were present at the meeting.
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