Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 19: Government today said 7,473 vehicles were seized and more than Rs 16.37 crore recovered as compounding charges in illegal mining cases across Jammu and Kashmir last year, as it rolled out an Integrated Mining Surveillance System (IMS) to curb the menace.
In a written reply to the question by MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat in Legislative Assembly, the Government said 3,139 vehicles were seized in the Jammu division, leading to a recovery of Rs 7, 91, 42,841. In the Kashmir division, 4,334 vehicles were seized and Rs 8, 46, 02,953 was realised.
District-wise figures show that in Jammu division, Kathua reported the highest seizures at 796 vehicles, followed by Samba (598), Jammu (505), Poonch (327), Rajouri (245), Udhampur (190), Doda (52), Ramban (32), Kishtwar (43) and Reasi (251).
In Kashmir division, Ganderbal reported 761 seizures, Baramulla 701, Budgam 548, Kupwara 359, Srinagar 283, Shopian 172, Bandipora 290, Pulwama 451, Anantnag 473 and Kulgam 498.
The department said 234 FIRs have been lodged or recommended against violators in the UT during 2025-26 and are at various stages of disposal.
The Government said that Jammu and Kashmir has framed the “J&K Minor Mineral Concession Rules” and notified the “J&K Minor Mineral Concession, Storage, Transportation and Prevention of Illegal Mining Rules, 2016” vide SRO-105 dated March 31, 2016, under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.
In compliance with these rules and the Sustainable Sand Mining Guidelines, 2016 and 2020, the department said it has identified and carved out feasible minor mineral blocks across the UT and e-auctioned them through District Level Auction Committees. It added that 204 mining leases of RBM blocks have been granted after submission of approved Mining Plans, Environmental Clearance, Consent to Operate (CTO) and other statutory clearances. These leases are aimed at providing construction material for projects of national and UT importance and for the general public.
Regarding enforcement, the department said action is being taken under Section 21(4) and (5) of the Act. Notices have been issued to violators, including companies, who fail to deposit penalties.
To curb illegal mining, the Government said a Multi-Departmental District Level Task Force has been constituted under Deputy Commissioners. Vigilance-cum-Monitoring Squads have been set up in Jammu and Kashmir divisions vide Order No. 114-JK(DGM) of 2025 dated 01.05.2025. Twenty-two mineral check posts have been constructed at entry and exit points.
The department has also launched an online e-challan and e-marketplace portal on August 24, 2022, for sale and purchase of minerals at notified rates. It has developed an Integrated Mining Surveillance System (IMSS) through the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG), integrated with GPS, RFID and a public grievance portal. The system detects suspicious activity within 500 metres of mining lease boundaries and has generated 144 alerts so far, which have been forwarded to District Mineral Officers, Senior Superintendents of Police and Deputy Commissioners for field verification.
Further, under SO 311 of 2025 dated December 5, 2025, no person, including mining lessees, licence holders, crusher and brick kiln units, can transport minerals without GPS-enabled vehicles registered with the department and a valid e-challan bearing a QR code. GST invoices are also mandatory for transportation of raw and processed minor minerals.
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