Amidst a concerning surge in illegal mining activities across Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo emphasized the imperative need for stringent enforcement of laws to combat this illicit practice.
Addressing a meeting convened to assess the operational efficiency of the Mining Department, Dulloo stressed the urgency of curbing illegal mining activities. Attended by key officials including the Commissioner Secretary of Mining, Director of Social Forestry, and Director of Mining, the meeting aimed to tackle issues surrounding the availability of minor minerals for infrastructure projects within the Union Territory (UT).
During the deliberations, Dulloo directed authorities to ensure the availability of construction materials to the public at government-approved rates. He urged officials to take decisive action against illegal miners, advocating for the rigorous implementation of enforcement measures to eliminate this nefarious activity.
Additionally, Dulloo urged officials to study and implement successful models from other states and union territories, particularly in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh, to maximize revenue generation through the auctioning of mineral blocks. He emphasized the importance of completing initiatives such as the establishment of a Mining Surveillance System and Mineral Check posts to effectively curb illegal mining activities.
In a detailed presentation, Commissioner Secretary Vikramjit Singh provided insights into the estimates of various mineral blocks identified across the UT, highlighting significant reserves of minerals such as limestone, gypsum, quartzite, and granite.
Regarding enforcement measures, it was revealed that the department had seized over 6000 vehicles involved in the illegal transportation of minerals, resulting in penalties totaling Rs. 1627 lakh. Furthermore, the Department had granted 205 minor mineral leases and identified 60 new RBM blocks across districts, generating revenue of Rs. 130.58 crore through bid amounts, royalties, and penalties.
Moreover, provincial-level flying squads have been formed to conduct surprise inspections and prevent illegal mining activities. The Department’s launch of an e-Marketplace/e-Challan web portal aims to ensure transparency and accountability in mineral transactions, with over 2,282,391 e-challans generated as of March 1st this year.
These efforts underscore the Department’s commitment to combating illegal mining and promoting responsible mineral extraction practices in Jammu and Kashmir.
