Empowering Communities Through Minerals: DMF Exhibition Showcases Grassroots Development and Women-Led Enterprises

A significant milestone in India’s journey toward inclusive and sustainable development was marked today with the inauguration of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Exhibition at Handloom Haat, Janpath, New Delhi. The event was jointly inaugurated by Union Minister of Tourism, Culture and Development of North Eastern Region, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, and Minister of State for Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, in the presence of Secretary (Mines), Shri V.L. Kantha Rao, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Mines.

The exhibition showcases the transformative work undertaken under the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) through District Mineral Foundations. A special focus is being given to Self-Help Groups (SHGs) operating in DMF districts, particularly those led by women.

Celebrating Local Enterprise and Women Empowerment

The DMF exhibition brings together local artisans, entrepreneurs, and community groups from mineral-rich districts across India. On display are:

• Traditional handloom and handicrafts,

• Processed food products made from locally sourced materials,

• Eco-friendly household goods, and

• Artistic creations that reflect the region’s cultural identity.

These products are produced by SHGs supported through DMF funds, which have helped communities—especially women—gain financial independence, develop skills, and create sustainable livelihoods.

Many of these women-led enterprises are not just small businesses—they are symbols of social transformation in areas previously plagued by mining-related disruption and economic disparity.

District Mineral Foundation and PMKKKY: A Catalyst for Change

The District Mineral Foundation (DMF), instituted under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, is a non-profit trust aimed at working for the welfare of people and areas affected by mining. The PMKKKY initiative, launched in 2015, mandates the utilization of DMF funds for healthcare, education, skill development, infrastructure, clean drinking water, and sustainable livelihood initiatives.

The exhibition serves as a testimony to the bottom-up approach of development, where local communities are given ownership, resources, and training to shape their future.

Union Ministers Laud the Initiative

Addressing the gathering, Shri G. Kishan Reddy emphasized that DMF is not just about compensatory mechanisms, but about “empowerment, equity, and enabling change at the grassroots.” He added that the platform allows beneficiaries to share their stories and inspire others across the nation.

Shri Satish Chandra Dubey highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring that mining revenues are reinvested for community good, especially in tribal and remote regions. He praised the entrepreneurial spirit of SHGs and said that such exhibitions promote both economic development and cultural preservation.

A Platform for Recognition and Scaling Impact

The DMF exhibition not only provides visibility to these grassroots initiatives but also connects them to larger markets, policymakers, NGOs, and consumers. It reinforces the government’s agenda of ‘Vocal for Local’ and supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan by showcasing the potential of rural India when empowered with the right tools and support.

By integrating mineral wealth with human development, the Ministry of Mines is turning resource-rich regions into development-rich zones.

The DMF Exhibition at Handloom Haat is more than just a display of products—it is a celebration of resilience, revival, and rural entrepreneurship. It reflects how thoughtful policy implementation, backed by community participation, can lead to holistic and inclusive development in India’s mining districts.