SRINAGAR The Jammu and Kashmir Government has acknowledged that mining activities across the Union Territory contribute significantly to livelihood generation and economic development while also posing environmental and socio-economic challenges, but maintained that a comprehensive regulatory framework is in place to ensure sustainable and scientific extraction.
Replying to a starred Assembly question tabled by MLA Reyaz Ahmad Khan, the government said it is a fact that mining provides employment opportunities and revenue for the administration across Jammu and Kashmir, even as concerns relating to environmental degradation and local socio-economic impacts persist. It stated that the sector is governed by the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and rules framed thereunder, under which mining operations are permitted only after mandatory approvals including an approved mining plan, environmental clearance and consent to operate from competent authorities.
The government said these statutory requirements incorporate safeguards aimed at addressing environmental concerns and protecting socio-economic interests while providing a structured legal framework for mineral development and prevention of illegal mining. It added that minor mineral extraction, storage, transportation and disposal are regulated under the Jammu and Kashmir Minor Mineral Concession, Storage, Transportation of Minerals and Prevention of Illegal Mining Rules, 2016 (SRO-105), which prescribe procedures for grant of concessions, monitoring and enforcement, including penalties for violations.
The House was informed that mineral blocks are allotted through e-auction to ensure transparency and competition, and are identified only after being assessed as geologically and environmentally viable, with pre-embedded clearances and no-objection certificates from all stakeholder departments. Mining operations are allowed strictly after securing all statutory permissions, and compliance is monitored by district-level field functionaries and enforcement agencies.
The government said it has put in place a comprehensive policy framework aimed at balancing sustainable mining, protection of natural resources and livelihood generation for local communities. It noted that the framework promotes scientific mining through regulated auctions, enforces environmental safeguards and ensures monitoring of extraction and transportation, alongside strict action against illegal mining.
It further informed that welfare and development of mining-affected areas are being addressed under the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana through District Mineral Foundations, under which Rs 46.55 crore has been utilised for completion of 682 schemes across the Union Territory.
Detailing enforcement measures, the government said a multi-departmental district-level task force has been constituted under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners to monitor illegal mining, quantify extracted material, impose penalties and safeguard ecological interests. It added that vigilance and monitoring flying squads have also been set up for both Jammu and Kashmir divisions to strengthen surveillance on illegal extraction and transportation.
The government said technological interventions have been introduced to improve transparency and enforcement, including on-the-spot e-challaning through PoS machines, and an online e-challan and e-market portal launched in September 2022 to facilitate sale and purchase of minerals at notified rates with secure digital documentation. It also informed that an Integrated Mining Surveillance System is being developed in collaboration with the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics, integrating GPS, RFID and grievance redressal systems to detect illegal mining activities. As part of pilot testing, 144 alerts were generated, all verified on the ground, with 24 cases of illegal activity confirmed and penalties imposed.
The government said additional proposals are under consideration to empower Deputy Commissioners, Senior Superintendents of Police and other senior officers with e-challaning and seizure powers to further strengthen enforcement. It maintained that the existing legal and policy framework ensures that mining in Jammu and Kashmir is carried out in a regulated, transparent and sustainable manner while safeguarding environmental and community interests.
