Jammu, Oct 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday emphasized the need for a robust and technology-driven mining governance system in Jammu and Kashmir, calling for the implementation of the Integrated Mining Surveillance System (IMSS) to ensure transparency, accountability, and environmental sustainability in mineral operations.
Chairing a comprehensive review meeting of the Mining Department at the Civil Secretariat Srinagar, Omar Abdullah directed officials to modernize monitoring mechanisms and fast-track exploration projects through a time-bound framework.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Mining Department Anil Kumar, Director Geology & Mining, all Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, and other senior officials.
During the meeting, Additional Chief Secretary, Mining, presented a detailed account of the department’s performance, outlining achievements in technology integration, regulatory reforms, mineral exploration, and financial management. A live demonstration of the IMSS—developed in collaboration with the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG)—showcased real-time digital monitoring of mining activities through dashboards linked with e-Challan and e-Market systems.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that more than 243 triggers had already been generated for field verification via vehicle tracking, GPS-enabled monitoring, PoS-linked e-challaning integrated with J&K Bank, and real-time enforcement to curb illegal mining.
Appreciating the initiative, Omar Abdullah directed the developers to explore expanding PoS functionalities and integrating existing departmental portals with IMSS for seamless operation. He further proposed incorporating a public grievance feature in the mobile application, enabling citizens to register complaints supported by satellite imagery or other evidence to strengthen public oversight.
The Chief Minister instructed the department to classify active and inactive mineral vendors and establish a dedicated monitoring cell at the Directorate level for real-time tracking and reporting. He also reviewed the reforms under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2025–26, which include auction-based mineral block allocation, introduction of mine closure and rehabilitation provisions, and advanced mapping mechanisms.
The meeting was informed that the District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) framework had been operationalized to ensure mining revenues benefit local development and welfare initiatives. Efforts are also underway to revise royalty and penalty structures to align with current market conditions while enhancing compliance.
The Chief Minister was apprised that GPS-enabled transport and PoS-based transactions have been made mandatory to trace mineral movement and plug revenue leakages. Legal enforcement has also been strengthened through the mandatory use of royalty clearance certificates, as directed by the High Court, ensuring responsible extraction practices.
Reviewing the progress of major and minor mineral blocks, Omar Abdullah stressed that all environmental and procedural clearances must be secured in advance before auctioning to prevent delays faced by successful bidders. Speaking candidly on the issue of illegal mining, he warned of internal collusion and urged strict accountability.
“In my previous tenure, illegal mining was never a concern. With the technological tools now available, any such activity is only possible if there’s collusion at the lower level. The department must use these systems effectively to eliminate that possibility. The more we reduce such collusion, the lesser the chances of illegal mining,” Omar Abdullah said.
He also reviewed ongoing exploration projects being carried out by the Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) and Geological Survey of India (GSI) covering sapphire, lithium, lignite, and shallow biogenic gas reserves in different districts. The Chief Minister was briefed on concurrent exploration efforts for granite, graphite, gypsum, copper, and base metals supported by geological mapping and feasibility assessments.
Omar Abdullah underlined the need for strict adherence to environmental regulations, particularly in eco-sensitive zones, while promoting mineral-based economic growth. He lauded the Mining Department for embracing digital innovation and institutional reforms, urging continued focus on transparency, efficiency, and sustainability.
The meeting concluded with the Chief Minister calling for the establishment of a more accountable, technologically advanced, and citizen-inclusive mining system — one that balances economic potential with environmental stewardship and social justice.
