PAC reviews audit observations on Mining, I&C Depts

Srinagar, July 21: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Monday convened a key meeting at the Assembly Complex in Srinagar to examine audit observations related to the Mining and Industries and Commerce (I&C) Departments.According to a statement issued here, the meeting, chaired by PAC Chairman Sham Lal Sharma, was attended by members Mubarak Gul, Javid Hassan Baig, Devinder Kumar Manyal, Sajad Shaheen and Muzaffar Iqbal Khan. The Committee reviewed audit paras 2.14 (2011–12), 3.14 (2000–01), 4.10 (2003–04), and 3.13 (2015–16), focusing on various administrative and financial lapses.Among the key issues discussed were land acquisition for the Industrial Export Promotion Park at SIDCO Ompora, procurement of broadband seismograph equipment, establishment of a seismograph observatory, construction of a zone office complex for handloom at Rajouri and the drawl and utilisation of public funds.Chairman Sharma directed the concerned departments to furnish a comprehensive report on the SIDCO project and initiate measures to fix responsibility where lapses have occurred. Emphasising the need to curb illegal mining across the Union Territory, he called for sustainable mining practices and deployment of modern technology for effective monitoring.He further instructed all concerned officials to submit Action Taken Reports (ATRs) within fixed timelines on all audit matters reviewed. The meeting was attended by Principal Accountant General J&K KP Yadaw, Principal Secretary Mining Anil Kumar Singh, Commissioner Secretary I&C Vikramjit Singh, Secretary I&C Khalid Jahangir, Secretary Legislative Assembly Manoj Kumar Pandita, Director General Accounts and Treasuries F.A. Lone, along with directors and senior officers of the Handicrafts and Handloom, Geology and Mining departments, SIDCO and Finance.Chairman Sharma reiterated the PAC’s vital role in promoting transparency and fiscal discipline, stating that the committee would continue to scrutinise public expenditure to uphold accountability in governance.