DMF Udyami Project aims to promote an entrepreneurial ecosystem for enterprise creation and promotion across 7 mining affected blocks & municipal wards in the Keonjhar District, Odisha. EDII, in collaboration with District Skill Development-cum-Employment Office (DSDEO), Keonjhar and with funding support from District Mineral Foundation (DMF), Keonjhar has initiated the Project. The project is being implemented under the supervision of Project Director Dr. Amit Kumar Dwivedi, Professor & Director – Department of Government Projects and Mr. C.R. Pattanaik, Advisor & Incharge – Eastern Regional office.
Enterprise creation is being ensured through skilling and training, and it is heartening to note that in the last two months, several impactful activities were conducted under the DMF Udyami Project, leading to 86 new enterprises getting established. Additionally, 7 Micro Enterprise Resource Centres have been established across the 7 mining affected blocks to provide support and guidance to entrepreneurs. The training programmes and workshops conducted visibly build awareness and enhance skills, particularly of youth, widows and persons with disabilities (PwDs). Sensitizing the support system is also undertaken for maximum results from the project. The last two months witnessed, 2 stakeholders’ workshops, benefiting 100 participants from various departments, community institutions and bankers. An Induction and Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) was also organized for 14 Udyog Mitra & project staff to strengthen their capacity and skills to promote entrepreneurship effectively. Regular sensitization programmes ensure that an environment conducive to entrepreneurship keeps appealing to the society at large. In the last two months, while 740 participants were sensitized on entrepreneurship and beneficial government schemes, 230 participants were imparted hardcore entrepreneurship training through 3 focused EDPs.
On March 17, 2026, with the objective of promoting entrepreneurship and creating awareness, the DMF Udyami Awareness Rath was launched. The Rath travelled across 7 mining-affected blocks of Keonjhar district, reaching rural areas to educate people about entrepreneurship, self-employment opportunities, government schemes and financial support.
A Rath to educate people about entrepreneurship was flagged off in the presence of the (R) Shri Vishal Singh, IAS, Hon’ble Collector & District Magistrate, Keonjhar; (2nd from R) Dr. Reena Pradhan, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, District Mineral Foundation; (2nd from L) Shri Kumar Nagabhushan, Chief Development Officer-cum-Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad; (3rd from L) Smt. Sudha Oram, District Skill Development & Employment Officer and (L) Mr. Sachikant Mallick, Programme Coordinator, DMF Udyami Project.
(R) Mr. Sachikant Mallick, Programme Coordinator, DMF Udyami Project.