SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) inspected 517 stone-crushing units across the Union Territory from January 1, 2025, onwards, detecting violations in hundreds of cases and issuing 229 legal notices and 146 closure directions/orders, the Government has informed the Legislative Assembly.
The figures were disclosed by the Government in reply to a starred question by Poonch Haveli MLA Ajaz Ahmad Jan seeking details of new stone crushers granted permissions, compliance with environmental and siting norms, applications received and disposed of, and enforcement action against operating units.
According to the reply of the Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, the JKPCC inspected 318 crusher units in Kashmir division, detecting 179 violations. It issued 154 legal notices and 112 closure orders/directions in the division.
Pulwama accounted for the largest number of inspections in Kashmir, with 161 units inspected. Violations were detected in 67 cases, resulting in 67 legal notices and 44 closure orders. Budgam recorded 49 inspections, with violations detected in all 49 cases, followed by 49 legal notices and 49 closure orders.
In Anantnag, 26 units were inspected and violations were found in 23 cases. Three legal notices were issued, while closure was recommended in three cases. Baramulla saw 47 inspections, 19 violations, 19 legal notices and seven closure orders.
Kulgam had nine inspections and six violations, with six legal notices and three closure orders, while Kupwara recorded seven inspections and seven violations, leading to three legal notices and four closure orders. Bandipora had six inspections and six violations, with six legal notices issued. Shopian recorded six inspections, one violation and one legal notice.
The reply stated that two units were inspected in Srinagar, with one violation recorded, while five units were inspected in Ganderbal without any violation being reported.
In the Jammu division, 199 inspections were conducted, resulting in 75 legal notices and 34 closure directions. Poonch, the constituency represented by MLA Ajaz Ahmad Jan, accounted for 20 inspections and 13 legal notices, with no closure direction recorded in the tabulated figures.
Rajouri had the highest number of inspections in Jammu division, at 36, followed by Udhampur and Kishtwar with 25 each. Jammu South recorded 19 inspections, Doda 20, Jammu North 15, Reasi 12, Samba 11 and Kathua 10.
The Government said enforcement directions had been issued under Section 33-A of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and Section 31-A of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
It identified three principal grounds for closure action: failure to obtain the required NOC from the concerned Deputy Commissioner under S.O. 60 of 2021 dated February 23, 2021; operation without the consent of the JKPCC as required under the Water and Air pollution-control laws; and operation with inadequate or no pollution-control measures or devices.
On the establishment of new stone crushers, the Government said permissions had been granted in accordance with the criteria and norms fixed by the competent authority and applicable environmental guidelines and siting criteria.
It specifically referred to JKPCC Order No. 70 of 2025 dated May 9, 2025, prescribing the criteria and norms for establishment and operation of stone crushers, and Order No. 124-JKPCC of 2025 dated August 30, 2025, which amended the siting criteria.
The Government also disclosed four stone crushers approved for establishment in Poonch district during the period covered by the question. These are M/s Malik Stone Crusher at Village Seeri Chowana; M/s Shiva Stone Crusher at Village Salotri; M/s SMT Stone Crusher at Village Bhainch; and M/s SMB Stone Crusher at Village Salotri, all in Haveli tehsil of Poonch.
The MLA had also sought the status of applications received, approved, rejected and pending for establishment of stone crushers. The Government said the relevant details were contained in Annexure B, while the district-wise permissions were provided in Annexure A to the reply.
On the specific communication referred to in the question, the department said that D.O. Letter No. MLS/PUN/POL/01/24/26 dated February 17, 2026, had not been received by the department.
The Government’s reply was issued by the Minister in charge, Forest, Ecology and Environment Department, in response to the Legislative Assembly question.
