Back2Basics: District Mineral Foundation (DMF)

• Establishment: DMF is a non-profit trust established under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015.
• Main Objective: Its primary purpose is to work in the interest of persons and areas affected by mining-related operations, as determined by the respective state governments.
• Funding Source: It is funded through contributions made by holders of mining leases for major and minor minerals, with the exact amount prescribed by central or state government rules.
• Governance: The operation, governance, and functioning of the DMF fall under the jurisdiction of the state government, which defines its composition and implementation mechanisms.
• Decentralized Utilization: DMF funds are collected and utilized at the district level, enabling decentralized and locally relevant developmental interventions.

Back2Basics: Aspirational District/Block Programme

Aspirational District Programme (ADP):

• Launch: It was launched in January 2018 by the Government of India to uplift 117 underdeveloped districts across the country.
• Key Principles: It is based on the principles of Convergence, Collaboration, and Competition, aiming to transform districts through coordinated efforts.
• Positive Labeling: The word “Aspirational” was deliberately chosen to avoid labels like “backward” and to promote positive transformation and development-oriented thinking.
• Selection Criteria: Districts were selected by NITI Aayog using a composite index based on 49 indicators across 5 sectors:

1. Health and Nutrition (30%)
2. Education (30%)
3. Agriculture and Water Resources (20%)
4. Financial Inclusion and Skill Development (10%)
5. Basic Infrastructure (10%)

• Real-Time Tracking: The ADP focuses on real-time data tracking, public disclosure of rankings, and building administrative capacity at the district level.
• People’s Movement: The programme has become a Jan Andolan (people’s movement), actively involving citizens, NGOs, and local administration.

Aspirational Block Programme (ABP):

• Overview: It was introduced in the Union Budget 2022–23 as an extension of the ADP to the block level.
• Rural Focus: It is aimed at ensuring that development reaches deep into rural areas, particularly those not fully covered under ADP.
• Coverage: Initially, the programme covers 500 blocks across 31 states and Union Territories, with room for states to expand the list.
• Geographical Concentration: A significant number of these blocks are concentrated in six states:
  • Uttar Pradesh (68 blocks)
  • Bihar (61 blocks)
  • Madhya Pradesh (42 blocks)
  • Jharkhand (34 blocks)
  • Odisha (29 blocks)
  • West Bengal (29 blocks)
• Focus Areas: It focuses on improving indicators similar to ADP, with emphasis on health, education, livelihoods, and basic infrastructure.
• Collaborative Governance: Like ADP, it promotes convergence of schemes, competitive spirit among blocks, and collaborative governance at all levels.

1. Permitting the Non-Banking Financial Companies to do banking 2. Establishing effective District Planning Committees in all the districts 3. Increasing the government spending on public health 4. Strengthening the Mid-day Meal Scheme

Options: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 and 4 only (c) 2, 3 and 4 only* (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4