Srinagar, July 10 (KNS): Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the functioning and future strategies of the Department of Geology and Mining, with a strong focus on using technology to curb illegal mining and improve transparency across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary Mining Anil Kumar Singh, Director Mining, MD JK Minerals, and other senior officials.
Dulloo directed the department to adopt modern tools like GPS tracking, RFID tagging, geo-fencing, and real-time monitoring systems to identify violators and stop illegal mining. He stressed the need to create deterrence, especially for repeat offenders, and called for a more transparent and citizen-friendly approach to mineral resource management.
Highlighting the urgent need for reforms, he asked the department to speed up the issuance of Letters of Intent (LoIs) for non-operational mineral blocks and work closely with the Union Ministry of Mines for early assessment and auctioning of newly discovered blocks. He also urged officials to learn from successful practices in other states.
To tackle overcharging and ensure fair prices for minor minerals, Dulloo asked for strict monitoring and the availability of affordable construction material to the public.
Principal Secretary Mining Anil Kumar Singh informed that out of 233 mineral blocks in J&K, 106 are operational while 127 remain non-operational. He said efforts are underway to make 60 of those functional by October 31, 2025. The department has set a revenue target of ?500 crore for the current fiscal, up from ?150 crore in 2024-25.
The target includes ?260 crore from major minerals and ?220 crore from minor minerals, with an additional ?100 crore from other sources.
In terms of major minerals, 48 limestone blocks have been identified, including 23 non-operational mining leases and new blocks in Anantnag, Pulwama, Poonch, and Rajouri.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelFive limestone blocks with reserves of over 75 million tonnes are expected to be auctioned by October 31 this year.
For riverbed minerals (RBM), the department aims to operationalize 60 blocks by October, contributing ?53 crore in revenue. Additionally, eight Letters of Intent are to be issued within a month, while 19 blocks are ready for auction. Another 73 blocks await NOCs from Deputy Commissioners, expected by August 18, with revenue of ?100 crore.
The meeting also discussed the significant Lithium reserve found in Reasi. Geological studies have indicated a resource of 5.9 million tonnes over a 3 sq km area, with further assessments expected by the end of this year.
Other minerals discussed included sapphire (Kishtwar), lignite (Kupwara), granite (Doda, Ganderbal), quartzite (Kishtwar), dolomite (Rajouri), and graphite (Kupwara), with timelines set for exploration.
Officials also briefed on the department’s ongoing implementation of the Mining Surveillance System. Phase one is already live, using satellite imagery to detect illegal mining, while the second phase—featuring GPS tracking, e-challans, and integration with the Vahan Portal—is in progress. Jammu and Samba have already rolled out on-spot penalties using PoS machines, with UT-wide implementation set by July 15.
Additional reforms include a dedicated district-level task force, construction of 22 mineral check-posts, and the launch of an online portal for mineral sale and purchase.
The meeting also reviewed the performance of J&K Minerals Limited (JKML), which currently runs the gypsum mine at Parlanka (Ramban) and coal mines at Kalakot (Rajouri/Reasi). Plans are in place to expand operations and resolve financial liabilities to strengthen the company’s position.(KNS)