Orissa HC orders probe into DMF Fund irregularities in Keonjhar district

Coming heavily on the alleged irregularities and corruption in the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Trust fund in Keonjhar district, the Orissa High Court directed the state-level committee to investigate and take appropriate action.

Key allegations include discrepancies in tenders, massive corruption in release of funds, failure to provide utilization certificates, and disbursement of advance payments to contractors. Other accusations involve executing projects without the Trust Board’s approval, overspending on project estimates, irregularities in DMF bank account funds, unauthorized appointments, and irregularities in contingency grants.

The Bench led by Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice Savitri Rath issued the directions based on Section 15(4) and 9B of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, and Rule 18(B) of the Odisha DMF Rules, 2015.

The court also directed the state government to furnish relevant documents and counters for the committee’s examination. The state-level committee that has Odisha Chief Secretary as the chairperson will submit its findings and determine the nature of actions to be taken, the bench said.

The court said that it would decide on the necessity of further intervention after reviewing the investigation’s outcome.

Initial complaints regarding these issues were submitted to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Planning and Coordination Department, and Keonjhar Collector.

Following inaction, a case (W.P.(C) No. 26601/2024) was filed in the High Court on October 22, 2024. Subsequently, the DMF Chairperson and Keonjhar Collector were served notices, with a response filed on November 27, 2024.

The high court has scheduled the next hearing for March 6.