Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh has said that the Centre will soon bring a fresh Mines and Minerals Development Regulation Bill in the Parliament. He said that for the first time, the Bill will have the provision of setting up of ‘District Mineral Fund’ which will be utilized for developmental works in those districts where the mines are located.

This Act will replace the existing system where royalties which accrue from mining activities, go straight to the coffers of the state government.

Speaking to reporters in Raipur last evening, Mr. Ramesh said that all the Rural Development schemes will be brought under the purview of audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General, CAG.

He revealed that in the first phase, the CAG will conduct performance audit of the expenditure under MNAREGA- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme in 12 states.

Underlining the importance of the CAG audit of rural development funds, Mr. Ramesh said that this is essential for maintaining transparency and accountability.

He emphasized that the people in a poor country like India, have every right to know about the utilisation of funds.

Underlining the importance of the rural development programmes in the Naxal affected districts, the Minister disclosed that during the 12th Five Year Plan, blocks instead of the districts will be considered as units for receiving funds.

The Rural Development Minister is on a two days visit to Chhattisgarh to review the implementation of the RD schemes in the Naxal-affected areas of the state.