Keonjhar/Hatadihi: The Union Ministry of Mines has asked the Odisha government to explain alleged large-scale irregularities and misuse of Keonjhar district’s District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds since 2017, in violation of the Odisha DMF Rules.
In a letter dated September 8, 2025, issued under file No. M.IV-7/58/2023-Mines IV, the ministry directed Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja to provide specific remarks on the allegations.
The ministry said the Keonjhar DMF had submitted a report July 8, 2025, which was forwarded to the ministry by the chief secretary’s office August 4, 2025, through letter No. 11135/PTI-PC-DMFCDMF-0012-2025.
However, the report lacked clear comments or observations from the state government.
The ministry’s letter referred to allegations of unauthorised spending of DMF grants on various projects without the approval of the trust board, irregular selection of the Project Management Unit, advance salary payments and arbitrary hikes in staff strength and pay, irregular use of contingency funds, misuse of interest and project funds, unauthorised appointments, awarding of contracts without tenders, and arbitrary increases in estimated project costs.
PNN
