SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Thursday stated that stone crushers, along with hot and wet mix plants, can only be established after obtaining mandatory No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the concerned departments.
Responding to a question raised by Sheikh Khursheed Ahmad in the Legislative Assembly, Choudhary clarified that all minor mineral-based units must secure consent from the Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Board and an NOC from the Deputy Commissioner of the respective district for land title verification.
Addressing concerns regarding the installation of a partially functional stone crusher at Bi-e-Maidan Kralgund Qaziabad Langate, the Deputy Chief Minister informed that five kanals of land, under Survey Numbers 33 min and 35 min, have been identified in Bilmaidan village, Rasripora Lariganapora, Tehsil Qaziabad. The land has been earmarked for establishing a batching plant, bitumen plant, and a main store on a temporary basis for 30 months to facilitate the completion of the RKCTC road, a national priority project under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MORTH).
Choudhary further stated that the Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara has yet to take a final decision on the matter as several required documents remain under process. He also clarified that, under the provisions of SO 60 of 2021, dated February 23, 2021, no NOC is required from the Geology and Mining Department for setting up a stone crusher unit. However, lease agreements, environmental clearances, and NOCs from various departments are still being processed. The functionality of stone crushers, he added, falls under the jurisdiction of the respective district administration.
