Jaipur, Aug. 23 -- Chief secretary V Srinivas on Friday directed officials to ensure that District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) funds were utilised primarily to improve drinking water, education, healthcare, environment and skill development opportunities in mining areas. Srinivas directed officials to ensure that funds sanctioned to build infrastructure in villages in mining areas were adequate to complete the projects. The finance department should approve funds after considering the quality and priority of works and ensure monitoring, he said. "The DMFT fund should become a means of development for mining-affected areas and their residents," Srinivas said. He said collectors would be issued necessary directions for better and quality utilisation of DMFT funds, followed by reviews with them. He also stressed the need to prepare a five-year plan for utilisation of DMFT funds in mining areas so that residents of affected areas receive sustained benefits. Additional chief secretary (mines) Aparna Arora said 30% of royalty from major mineral leases and 10% of royalty from minor mineral leases is collected under DMFT. The funds are to be utilised with priority to areas within 15 km of mining operations, while works can be taken up in the 15-25 km zone wherever necessary. The fund provides for priority projects related to drinking water, education, healthcare, skill development and environmental improvement in mining-affected areas. Around 30% of the funds can also be utilised for roads and other infrastructure projects, said Arora. She added that DMFT receives an average of around Rs.1,600 crore annually. Projects worth Rs.11,435.81 crore have so far been sanctioned in the concerned districts, of which Rs.6,718.28 crore has been spent. The additional chief secretaty added that district collectors must establish clear priorities while approving works under DMFT so that the funds can be used to foster visible development in villages affected by mining and help provide basic amenities to residents....