Asserting that Prime Minister Narender Modi led Union government is keen to help J&K emerge as a ‘mineral power house’ Union Coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy on Monday said such steps will open up UT’s huge potential of revenue and employment generation.
The minister was speaking at e-auction of limestone blocks across UT at a function organized in Jammu on Monday. He said even as the initial findings do not indicate significant lithium deposits in Jammu and Kashmir and a clearer assessment will be available only after Geological Survey of India completes its ongoing G2-level exploration in January next year.Reddy said the survey will provide definitive data on the extent, quality and economic viability of the mineral reserves.
The e-auction of seven limestone mineral blocks in J&K was launched jointly by Reddy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary.In early 2023, officials claimed to have found a 5.9 million tonne of the non-ferrous metal reserve in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district following a G3 (advanced) study of GSI.
“There is a discussion across the country about the lithium reserve (in J&K). Generally, the government goes for auction after getting G4 report from GSI but we have done G4 and G3 surveys for lithium while a G2 study is underway which will be completed by January,” Reddy told reporters.However, after coming to know that there are not much lithium deposits as was earlier expected, the government decided to go for an end-level exploration, the minister said, adding after getting the final report by January next year, auction will be done as per the findings.
Reddy said that with the first-ever launch of the limestone block auction, J&K had figured on the Mineral Action Map of the country. “With J&K’s inclusion, almost all states have become part of this Mineral Action Map (MAM),” he said.Reddy said that to ensure the mineral wealth of J&K becomes its growth engine, the Centre would extend all possible help to speed up the exploration process.“We will sit with the Chief Minister to chalk out an action plan. The central agencies will assist in the exploration process. We will also set up the J&K State Exploration Development Trust, which will be funded by the Centre. Our aim is to see J&K marching forward on the path of progress at any cost,” he said.
Speaking on the ocassion Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring transparency in the auctioning of mineral blocks in Jammu & Kashmir, stating that the new e-auction mechanism will unlock economic potential in some of the most underserved regions of Jammu and Kashmir.Chief Minister said that the e-auction initiative marks a crucial step towards economic revival and sustainable development in mineral-rich but economically weaker areas of J&K.“At least, we have limestone — and that limestone lies in areas where the economic situation is very bad,” he said.
The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy for proposing a special group within the Ministry of Mines to fast-track mineral exploration in Jammu and Kashmir.
Follow us
