JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary has said that the Jammu and Kashmir government is taking strong action against illegal mining, with 4,040 vehicles and machines seized and 153 FIRs registered against offenders in 2024 alone. Speaking in the assembly on March 15 during the debate on grants for his ministries, he said that penalties worth Rs 10.12 crore have been collected as part of a strict crackdown, while several government officials have been removed for negligence in enforcing mining regulations.
Choudhary announced that the Joint Director of Geology and Mining, Jammu, and the District Mineral Officer, Udhampur, have been removed from their positions following adverse reports, while the District Mineral Officer, Kathua, has been suspended. These actions, he said, reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption and misconduct in the mining sector. “No individual, whether from the administration or the private sector, will be allowed to undermine the law,” he stated.
The government is also introducing technological advancements to bring transparency to the sector. An e-Challan system has been implemented to track the movement of minerals from their source to their final destination, reducing illegal transportation. Additionally, an e-Market web portal has been launched to allow consumers to purchase minor minerals at government-notified rates, ensuring fair pricing and eliminating black-market activities.
To further enhance surveillance, the government is preparing to launch the Mine Surveillance System in collaboration with the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG). This system, already implemented in other states for major minerals, is being customised for Jammu and Kashmir’s specific needs to strengthen real-time monitoring of mining activities.
Choudhary said that the government is committed to balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability. The Jammu and Kashmir Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (JKEIAA) has approved District Survey Reports in nine districts, while reports for the remaining districts are under review and will soon be submitted for approval. The government has also intensified revenue generation efforts through auctions of minor mineral blocks, with the mining sector collecting a record Rs 130 crore in 2024.
Highlighting the importance of the sector, Choudhary said that Jammu and Kashmir is rich in mineral resources such as limestone, gypsum, bauxite, marble, granite, quartzite, silica sand, clay, sapphire, lignite and dolomite. These minerals are essential for industries including cement production, fertilisers, construction, and aluminium manufacturing. Their availability supports infrastructural development by ensuring a steady supply of raw materials like sand, gravel and stone aggregates.
Despite these efforts, he acknowledged that illegal mining remains a challenge, leading to environmental degradation, deforestation, riverbed erosion and habitat destruction. To counter this, the government has established Multi-Departmental District-Level Task Force Cells, headed by Deputy Commissioners with District SSPs as key members. Additionally, Divisional Level Flying Squads have been set up to conduct surprise inspections and enforce strict legal measures. The penalties for illegal mining have been made more stringent, with first-time offenders being fined ten times the cost of the mineral extracted illegally. For repeat offenders, the penalties increase, and seized vehicles or machinery used in illegal mining are held for at least seven days before release.
The government is also making it easier for businesses and entrepreneurs to participate in legal mining operations. The implementation of an e-auction system has made the allocation of mining blocks more transparent and competitive, while procedural reforms under the Ease of Doing Business initiative have simplified the process of obtaining mining leases and approvals. The government is also encouraging local industries and small-scale mining operations to create employment opportunities and boost economic growth.
So far, 202 mining leases have been granted through e-auctions, while eight leases have been allocated to Public Sector Undertakings, including Jammu and Kashmir Projects Construction Corporation (JKPCC) and JK Minerals. Additionally, six mining leases have been sanctioned on private lands, along with three quarry licences on private properties and one cluster quarry on state land. A total of 23 quarry licences have also been issued for government projects. To meet the demand for construction materials, the department has provided short-term and disposal permits to government companies and traditional communities engaged in customary mining.
Choudhary reiterated that the government remains committed to making the mining sector a model of transparency, efficiency and sustainability. “We firmly believe that economic progress must go hand in hand with environmental sustainability and community well-being. Our goal is to ensure that essential construction materials remain available at reasonable prices while safeguarding the rights and traditions of local communities. At the same time, preserving our ecological heritage remains a top priority,” he said.
With these reforms, Choudhary said that the Jammu and Kashmir government is determined to transform the mining sector into a pillar of economic resilience while ensuring that natural resources are utilised responsibly and preserved for future generations.
