Mishra reviews e-auction preparedness for minor mineral blocks in Ladakh

By
Daily Excelsior
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Excelsior Correspondent LEH, June 4: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retired), chaired a high-level meeting at Raj Niwas to review preparations for the upcoming e-auction of minor mineral blocks/plots in the Union Territory. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Chief Secretary Dr Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary Sanjeev Khirwar, Administrative Secretary Bhupesh Chaudhary, Administrative Secretary Vikram Singh Malik, Administrative Secretary Bhanu Prabha and officials from the concerned departments. Khirwar briefed the LG on the legal framework governing minor minerals under Section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. He clarified that state governments are empowered to frame rules regarding the extraction and auction of such minerals. Highlighting the groundwork completed so far, Khirwar informed that a committee constituted in 2021 has identified 67 minor mineral blocks on state land across Leh and Kargil districts. Of these, 25 blocks—13 in Leh and 12 in Kargil—have been approved by stakeholder departments. Additionally, a request from the Chairman of LAHDC Kargil for nine more blocks is under consideration. The Principal Secretary elaborated on statutory prerequisites for the auction, including the preparation of District Survey Reports, obtaining environmental clearances, and levying land use fees. He also outlined the formation of a UT-level Environment Impact Assessment Authority to oversee environmental compliance. Khirwar apprised the LG of the steps taken for implementation, including onboarding 82 interested bidders onto the MSTC e-auction portal, conducting a virtual training session, and drafting the bid document. He further informed that observations from both LAHDCs have been taken into account, and necessary amendments to the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) rules are being drafted to suit Ladakh’s unique context. The LG directed officials to address concerns raised by the Hill Councils and strictly follow environmental guidelines, particularly those related to riverbed extraction. The meeting was attended by key officials both in person and virtually, underlining the administration’s focused push towards transparent and sustainable mineral resource management in Ladakh.
Excelsior Correspondent LEH, June 4: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retired), chaired a high-level meeting at Raj Niwas to review preparations for the upcoming e-auction of minor mineral blocks/plots in the Union Territory. The meeting was attended by senior officials including Chief Secretary Dr Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary Sanjeev Khirwar, Administrative Secretary Bhupesh Chaudhary, Administrative Secretary Vikram Singh Malik, Administrative Secretary Bhanu Prabha and officials from the concerned departments. Khirwar briefed the LG on the legal framework governing minor minerals under Section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. He clarified that state governments are empowered to frame rules regarding the extraction and auction of such minerals. Highlighting the groundwork completed so far, Khirwar informed that a committee constituted in 2021 has identified 67 minor mineral blocks on state land across Leh and Kargil districts. Of these, 25 blocks—13 in Leh and 12 in Kargil—have been approved by stakeholder departments. Additionally, a request from the Chairman of LAHDC Kargil for nine more blocks is under consideration. The Principal Secretary elaborated on statutory prerequisites for the auction, including the preparation of District Survey Reports, obtaining environmental clearances, and levying land use fees. He also outlined the formation of a UT-level Environment Impact Assessment Authority to oversee environmental compliance. Khirwar apprised the LG of the steps taken for implementation, including onboarding 82 interested bidders onto the MSTC e-auction portal, conducting a virtual training session, and drafting the bid document. He further informed that observations from both LAHDCs have been taken into account, and necessary amendments to the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) rules are being drafted to suit Ladakh’s unique context. The LG directed officials to address concerns raised by the Hill Councils and strictly follow environmental guidelines, particularly those related to riverbed extraction. The meeting was attended by key officials both in person and virtually, underlining the administration’s focused push towards transparent and sustainable mineral resource management in Ladakh.

Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, June 4: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retired), chaired a high-level meeting at Raj Niwas to review preparations for the upcoming e-auction of minor mineral blocks/plots in the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including Chief Secretary Dr Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary Sanjeev Khirwar, Administrative Secretary Bhupesh Chaudhary, Administrative Secretary Vikram Singh Malik, Administrative Secretary Bhanu Prabha and officials from the concerned departments.
Khirwar briefed the LG on the legal framework governing minor minerals under Section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. He clarified that state governments are empowered to frame rules regarding the extraction and auction of such minerals.
Highlighting the groundwork completed so far, Khirwar informed that a committee constituted in 2021 has identified 67 minor mineral blocks on state land across Leh and Kargil districts. Of these, 25 blocks—13 in Leh and 12 in Kargil—have been approved by stakeholder departments. Additionally, a request from the Chairman of LAHDC Kargil for nine more blocks is under consideration.
The Principal Secretary elaborated on statutory prerequisites for the auction, including the preparation of District Survey Reports, obtaining environmental clearances, and levying land use fees. He also outlined the formation of a UT-level Environment Impact Assessment Authority to oversee environmental compliance.
Khirwar apprised the LG of the steps taken for implementation, including onboarding 82 interested bidders onto the MSTC e-auction portal, conducting a virtual training session, and drafting the bid document. He further informed that observations from both LAHDCs have been taken into account, and necessary amendments to the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) rules are being drafted to suit Ladakh’s unique context.
The LG directed officials to address concerns raised by the Hill Councils and strictly follow environmental guidelines, particularly those related to riverbed extraction.
The meeting was attended by key officials both in person and virtually, underlining the administration’s focused push towards transparent and sustainable mineral resource management in Ladakh.

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