Irfan Tramboo
SRINGAR, Oct 30: Demanding changes, legislators across the party lines in the Legislative Assembly today picked holes in the existing mining policy, calling it detrimental to livelihoods and infrastructural development in the Union Territory.
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“The policy was meant to prevent misuse of natural resources, but instead it has stopped their legitimate use,” MLA Javed Beigh said in his speech.
He said that earlier, a truckload of sand cost Rs 6,000, but now it costs Rs 20,000 and is still not easily available, stressing that the existing framework has deprived only the people of J&K.
“This policy has ensured that everyone can use these resources except the people of J&K. Those who used to earn their livelihood through sand and other material extraction have been left jobless,” he said.
Beigh said that due to the restrictions, the shortage of raw materials had stalled developmental projects across J&K
“Our resources no longer belong to us,” he said, urging the Deputy Chief Minister to form an all-party committee to look into the matter.
“We had warned earlier that the existing policy would create problems for people in J&K, and Ladakh alike. The use of natural resources is a fundamental right,” he asserted.
The legislator cautioned that if the concern was not addressed, it would impact employment, infrastructure development, and ultimately governance.
“I am speaking with the hope that you will listen to me as well as to other members,” Beigh said.
To address the issues of the people, he said, this House has to be on the same page.
“If we fail to do that, history will not forget us for the mistakes committed in the past that continue to make people suffer,” he added.
Referring to a 2017 Supreme Court directive, Beigh said all States were asked to frame mining policies to ensure sustainable extraction and environmental protection.
“A committee was formed then in this House, and a report was prepared. I urge the Government to study that report,” he said.
“We had made certain observations, warning that the policy being implemented would have serious consequences – and today those effects are before us.”
Supporting Beigh ‘s remarks, MLA Rafiq Naik echoed similar concerns and urged the Government to take “necessary corrective measures” to safeguard the interests of local workers and the construction sector.
MLA Dr. Muhammad Shafi also called for urgent relaxation of the rules to facilitate development.
“Beigh has explained in detail the ground situation regarding the availability of material,” he said. Because of the recent policies, he said, construction material is not available at all and can affect the infrastructural development of J&K.
“The situation has worsened to the point that even farmers cannot take mud from their own land. I hope the Government will ensure we get what is our right – for our development and livelihood.”
Meanwhile, in response to a question by MLA Narinder Singh, the J&K Mining Department stated that not a single stone crusher unit in J&K is owned by its officers or their relatives.
The department’s reply also revealed that legal action has been stalled in a key case where a penalty of Rs 13.46 lakh was imposed on M/s GECPL-CPPPL JV, the executing agency for an RKCTC project in Kupwara.
Further disclosing enforcement measures, the Government confirmed the cancellation of two mining leases in Kupwara’s Block Nos. 6 and 11 for financial default, resulting in forfeited bank guarantees and blacklisting of the leaseholders.
The details provided by the Government also highlighted the scale of mining in J&K, showing 202 active Riverbed Material (RBM) leases and 61 other leases for minerals such as limestone and gypsum.
It noted that there are 25 registered mining companies in Jammu and only one in Kashmir.
To curb revenue leakage, the department said all major projects, including the Srinagar Ring Road, must now obtain a Royalty Clearance Certificate before contractors receive payments, which, it said, is aimed at ensuring reconciliation of mined quantities and recovery of Government dues.
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