A recent audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has uncovered a massive awareness deficit regarding a key central government welfare scheme in Karnataka's mining regions. The report highlights that a staggering 85% of intended beneficiaries have no knowledge of the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY), even as thousands of projects have been executed under it.
Widespread Ignorance in Core Mining Districts
The CAG's performance audit focused on the implementation of PMKKKY, a Rs 3,902-crore scheme designed to offset the negative environmental, health, and socio-economic impacts of mining on local communities. The scheme is primarily targeted at populations in the undivided districts of Ballari, Tumakuru, Chitradurga, and Kalaburagi. These four districts alone contribute 83% of the funds collected through the District Mineral Fund (DMF) and royalties, which finance the scheme.
By March 2023, the state government had undertaken 10,865 works under PMKKKY. However, a ground-level sample survey conducted by the audit body among 961 beneficiaries across these four districts painted a starkly different picture of public awareness.
Key Findings from the Beneficiary Survey
The survey revealed critical gaps in communication and outreach. Out of the 961 beneficiaries surveyed, 813 individuals (85%) were completely unaware of the PMKKKY scheme's existence. Furthermore, 702 beneficiaries did not know that a District Mineral Fund Trust (DMFT) has been established in all 31 districts of Karnataka specifically to mitigate mining impacts.
The disconnect extended to community participation. The report noted that 78% of beneficiaries were ignorant of their villages being officially listed as "affected" under the scheme. Additionally, 72% had not attended any gram sabha meetings where PMKKKY projects and plans were supposed to be discussed and finalized.
Positive Feedback on Infrastructure Amidst Awareness Failure
Interestingly, despite the lack of awareness about the scheme itself, the survey recorded notably positive feedback on the ground-level outcomes. About 79% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the availability and quality of local infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, water supply, skill development centres, roads, and electricity in their villages.
An even higher percentage, 92% of those surveyed, believed that the assets created under these works were being put to productive use, indicating that the physical implementation of projects was having a tangible, positive effect.
CAG Recommendations and Government Response
Based on these findings, the CAG has urged the Karnataka state government to take immediate corrective measures. The auditor has recommended a significant enhancement of awareness through targeted Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities.
A key recommendation is for the government to issue directions to all District Mineral Fund Trusts to prepare a comprehensive list of affected persons. This list would enable "targeted planning of projects for those affected by mining directly," ensuring funds reach the most vulnerable.
In response to the audit observations, government officials have stated that action will be initiated. They emphasized plans to design schemes that ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for people living in mining-affected areas, moving beyond just infrastructure creation.
The report underscores a critical challenge in welfare governance: the gap between project execution on paper and effective communication with the citizenry. For PMKKKY to achieve its full potential in Karnataka, bridging this awareness chasm is now a paramount task for the authorities.
