Jammu, Mar 24: Jammu and Kashmir government Monday said that there were 759 stone crusher and Tar units existing in the Union Territory of which 577 were operational.
The government revealed this in response to a query raised by BJP MLA R S Pathania in the Legislative Assembly. “Pulwama has the maximum 151 stone crusher and Tar units, followed by Budgam which has 146 such units,” the reply reads. The government also said that it has not granted any permission for extraction of minerals—500 meters upstream and downstream of any bridge.
“The concerned department is allowing extraction of minerals in the mining blocks strictly as per the guidelines, terms and conditions mentioned in the approved mining plan, environment clearance and consent to operate issued from the competent authorities,” the reply reads. “To curb unbridled mining in J&K, a multi-department district level task force has been constituted. A vigilance-cum monitoring flying squad, enforcement team for J&K divisions has also been constituted.”
The government said that the Geology and Mining Department is also in the process of initiating a proposal regarding on spot imposition and realisation of penalties on violators involved in illegal mining through Point of Sale (PoS) machines on the analogy of Traffic Department. “Further, the department has also launched online web portal (e-challan/e-market place) for sale and purchase of minerals online at notified rates for the convenience of general public,” the government stated.
