SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Mining Department has said that no mining lease, permit or permission was cancelled, suspended or blacklisted across the Union Territory during the last three years, while a technology-based surveillance system is being used to detect suspected illegal mining and unauthorised transportation of minerals.
The disclosure was made in response to Un-Starred Question D.No. 1/6/92 tabled by Mubarik Gul, MLA from Eidgah, regarding mining activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The department said the Integrated Mining Surveillance System (IMSS), developed through BISAG-N, monitors mining areas and can detect suspicious activity within a 500-metre radius of mining lease boundaries. Vehicles engaged in legal mining are registered with the system and fitted with GPS devices.
According to the reply, more than 10,000 vehicles have been brought under geo-fencing and GPS tracking, with automated alerts generated for suspected violations. Alerts are sent to concerned District Mineral Officers, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police for ground verification.
The system also integrates online e-challans and transit permits with the BISAG-N platform. It generates alerts when vehicles leave mining lease areas without an e-challan or A-form, while night-time alerts are also issued to senior officials, including Deputy Commissioners, SSPs, the Director, Joint Directors and District Mineral Officers.
The department said live tracking has been enabled for vehicles fitted with Vehicle Tracking Devices across J&K.
It has also introduced on-the-spot collection of penalties from persons involved in illegal mining through Point of Sale machines across all districts, on the model of the Traffic Department.
The government said district-level mechanisms have also been strengthened. District Mineral Offices were established and staff deployed under Government Order No. 33-IND of 2017 dated February 17, 2017.
A Multi Departmental District Level Task Force Cell, headed by the concerned Deputy Commissioner, was constituted under Government Order No. 1569-GAD of 2018 dated October 22, 2018, to monitor mining activity at the district level.
The department also constituted vigilance-cum-monitoring flying squads and enforcement teams for the Jammu and Kashmir divisions under Order No. 107-JK(DGM) of 2024 dated August 30, 2024, to strengthen action against illegal extraction and transportation of minor minerals.
An online e-Challan/e-Market Place was launched on August 24, 2022, allowing the online sale and purchase of minerals at notified rates. The department said mineral transportation through the system is linked to e-challans and GPS-fitted vehicles.
The government further said district-wise Special Courts were designated through Notification No. S.O.302 dated November 27, 2025, under Section 30B of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, for speedy trial of specified offences relating to illegal mining.
It added that Rule 84(2) of the J&K Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2016 was amended through S.O. 61 dated March 6, 2026. The amendment empowers Deputy Commissioners, Additional Deputy Commissioners, Sub-Divisional Magistrates and equivalent officers to exercise powers under Sections 21(4) and 21(5) of the MM(D&R) Act for seizure of illegally extracted or transported minerals and the vehicles, machinery and equipment used in such offences.
On mining leases and permits, the department said district-wise details of leases granted through e-auction or allotment, including locations, minerals, sanctioned and extracted quantities, leaseholders and penalties, have been provided in Annexure-A to the Assembly reply. Details of short-term and disposal permits issued during the last three years have been placed in Annexure-B, while cases of illegal mining, seizures, penalties and recoveries are contained in Annexure-C.
The department also outlined the environmental assessment process followed for mining projects. It said Environmental Clearance is a statutory requirement for major and minor mining leases under the applicable Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notifications, subject to specified exemptions.
Environment Impact Assessment and Environment Management Plan studies for e-auctioned mineral blocks are conducted through NABET-accredited consultants. The findings are submitted to the Jammu and Kashmir Environmental Impact Assessment Authority, which evaluates potential impacts on local ecology, hydrology and biodiversity before granting environmental clearances.
The department said minor mineral blocks are granted mining leases only after the required environmental studies and mandatory clearances from the competent authority.
It further said District Survey Reports are prepared for each district and approved by the JKEIAA. Annual sediment replenishment studies are also undertaken for rivers and nallas to determine permissible extraction limits for riverbed mining and account for environmental considerations while granting clearances.
The department said these conditions are required to be complied with by mining leaseholders.
