SRINAGAR, Oct 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a detailed review meeting of the Mining Department at the Civil Secretariat, focusing on modernization, regulatory reforms, and surveillance in mineral management across Jammu and Kashmir.
During the session, the Additional Chief Secretary, Mining, presented the department’s recent performance, highlighting technological advancements, regulatory reforms, exploration projects, and financial outcomes.
A key highlight was the presentation and live demonstration of the Integrated Mining Surveillance System (IMSS), developed with BISAG (Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics). The system, accessible via portal and mobile app, allows real-time monitoring of mining activities, integrated with e-Challan and e-Market systems. It aims to strengthen transparency, accountability, and compliance in mineral operations. The department has already generated over 243 triggers for field verification using vehicle tracking, GPS-enabled monitoring, PoS-linked e-challaning, and on-the-spot enforcement to curb illegal mining.
Omar Abdullah appreciated the initiative and suggested expanding PoS functionalities, integrating the department’s existing portal with IMSS, and enabling citizen complaint registration with satellite evidence to enhance public participation and grievance redressal. He also directed the categorization of active and inactive mineral vendors and establishment of a monitoring cell at the Directorate level for continuous oversight.
The Chief Minister reviewed ongoing reforms under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2025-26, including an auction-based allocation of mineral blocks, mine closure and rehabilitation provisions, advanced survey and mapping mechanisms, and operationalization of the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) to channel mining revenues into local development. Efforts are also underway to revise royalty structures and penal provisions to align with market realities while improving compliance.
The department has made GPS-enabled transport and PoS-based transactions mandatory to track mineral movement and prevent leakages. Legal enforcement, including royalty clearance certificates, has been strengthened in line with High Court directions.
Addressing illegal mining, Omar stressed that such activities persist only with internal collusion. “With the technological tools now available, illegal operations can only happen with collusion at lower levels,” he said, urging strict use of systems to curb malpractice.
He also reviewed exploration projects by MECL and GSI, covering sapphire, lithium, lignite, biogenic gas, granite, graphite, gypsum, copper, and base metals, supported by geological mapping, drilling, and feasibility studies. The Chief Minister emphasized strict adherence to environmental norms, especially in eco-sensitive zones, while promoting sustainable mineral development.
