‘Shadow Minister operating in Udhampur’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 5: The Legislative Assembly today witnessed heated exchanges between Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary and BJP MLAs from Udhampur Pawan Gupta and RS Pathania on the issue of illegal mining in their district.
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The trouble erupted when BJP MLA from Udhampur East RS Pathania raising an issue of importance in the House after Question Hour alleged that the Deputy Chief Minister, who holds charge of the Mining Department, has appointed `Shadow Minister’ in Udhampur who has been indulging in illegal mining.
“We have submitted GPS pictures with all relevant data to show that Nullahs which were never auctioned for mining have been illegally mined. A ‘Shadow Minister’ has been moving freely doing all this,” Pathania said.
The Deputy Chief Minister immediately reacted saying the MLA will have to prove the charges. Where is the Shadow Minister? he asked.
Choudhary said he has removed and attached the officers and was doing his best to stop illegal mining.
“It’s their (the BJP’s agenda). They have taken contracts,” he said and declared that he will not allow all this.
BJP MLA from Udhampur West Pawan Gupta also joined the issue saying the Deputy Chief Minister has been clicking and circulating photographs with those very persons who are engaged in illegal mining.
“The Deputy Chief Minister should be aware of the facts,” Gupta said.
Pathania said three bridges are at the verge of collapse because of illegal mining in Udhampur.
Meanwhile, the Mining Minister through a written reply informed the Assembly that mining revenue has increased over the past three years.
Responding to a question by MLA Dr S Bashir Ahmad Veeri, the Mining Minister provided a complete data of the past three years. “Revenue from mining activities stood at Rs 101.17 crore in 2022-23. It rose to Rs 175.47 crore in 2023-24. Up to January 2025, revenue collection for the current financial year has reached Rs 118.80 crore,” the reply stated.
The Government also reported an increase in penalties collected for mining violations. In 2022-23, fines amounting to Rs 16.34 crore were imposed, which rose to Rs 19.20 crore in 2023-24. Up to January 2025, Rs14.71 crore fine has already been collected.
The reply further said that the authorities have intensified their crackdown on illegal mining, leading to the seizure of thousands of vehicles and machines.
In 2022-23, 6,909 vehicles and machines were confiscated, which increased to 7,018 in 2023-24. So far, in 2024-25 (up to January), 5,053 seizures have been recorded, it added.
The Government denied allegations that illegal mining was going unchecked, asserting that strict measures have been taken to curb such activities.
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