From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 13: Taking cognizance of the prevailing Covid-19 crisis and the fund crunch being faced by the authorities in handling the current health emergency, mines and geology minister Murugesh Nirani has allowed Dakshina Kannada district administration to utilise the funds available under the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) for purchase of oxygen tankers, medicine and other emergency medical needs.

Thanking the minister for taking a timely and prudent decision allowing the district administration to make use of funds available under DMF, state BJP president and Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel lauded him for his decision.

Kateel had spoken to Nirani and requested him to allow the district to use funds under DMF for the purchase of emergency medical needs such as oxygen tankers, which is essential to stock oxygen and transport it to hospitals treating Covid-19 patients.

Kateel had issued a statement to the media appreciating the mines and geology minister for taking prompt decision. He also took to Twitter to thank Murugesh Nirani.

The minister has decided to consider similar demand from other districts.

The state government had set up the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) for the development of mining-ravaged districts in the state.

The funds under DMF can be used for welfare schemes such as health, pollution control, women and child development, drinking water, sanitation, education, skill development, power generation and irrigation.