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DHANBAD, INDIA - AUGUST 08: A worker sprinkles water on burning coal in a coal dump yard near an open cast coal mine on August 08, 2025 in the outskirts of Dhanbad, India. Jharkhand stands at the forefront of India's coal production, anchoring the energy sector with its abundant reserves and strategic mining operations. The coalfields of Jharkhand play a pivotal role in powering the nation, supporting industries, providing employment, and contributing significantly to India's economic growth, which is underpinned by a transition to high-value manufacturing. (Photo by Ritesh Shukla/Getty Images)
Ranchi: Minster Yogendra Prasad on Monday assured the state assembly that the govt is conducting an inquiry into the alleged irregularities in spending of the district mineral foundation trust (DMFT) funds, adding that the guilty persons would not be spared.
He also assured that the state govt would write to the Centre for increasing the coverage area under DMFT.The minister was replying to a question raised by MLA Pradeep Yadav who said that under the present rule, DMFT funds is spent on priority basis within a radius of 10 km and remaining in a radius of 25 km. He added that this provision is leading to unequal development within districts.The minister said that the state govt had earlier raised objection with the Centre regarding the area limitation.
He said that the govt would also consider ways to develop the areas deprived under DMFT plan.Taking part in the discussion, leader of opposition Babulal Marandi claimed that the DMFT funds is being diverted from basic needs like drinking water, roads and health to structures like gymnasium. MLA C P Singh said that so far the govt is seemingly sleeping over the issue.Replying to a question by MLA Prakash Ram, the Prasad said that the govt was also conducting scrutiny of the brick kilns in Mccluskiegunj area, adding that action would be taken against the illegal ones.
Ram had stated that Mccluskeigunj was a tourist area in Ranchi district, adding that illegal industrial activities was leading to de-forestation in the area.In his question, MLA Saryu Roy asked whether the state govt has any policy or programme for utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in govt works. Minister Deepak Birua said that the state govt was striving for better implementation of AI. He said that the govt would review 101 start-up ideas in this regard. Roy, however, said there was no relation between starts ups and AI adding the latter has not been mentioned in the govt’s start-up policy.MLA Roushan Lal Choudhary raised the issue of compensation for persons displaced due to coal mines in Hazaribag and Ramgarh districts.
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