7 J&K limestone mineral blocks’ e-auction launched
Jammu, Nov 24: Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, on Monday, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government was only hand-holding the J&K government to help it emerge as a ‘mineral power house’ and thus unlock its huge potential of revenue and employment generation.
Describing the launch of the maiden e-auction of seven limestone mineral blocks in J&K as an “epoch-making moment”, Reddy said that the Centre, J&K government, people, and private entrepreneurs would collectively endeavour to make J&K – India’s “mineral power house”.
He was addressing the gathering after the launch at the Convention Centre, Jammu.
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.
Seven limestone blocks, covering approximately 314 hectares, were identified across the districts of Anantnag, Rajouri, and Poonch for the launch.
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.
The Union Minister said that no tax was being imposed by the Centre and that all the premium and royalty accrued in the mineral sector would go to the state fund.
“The District Mineral Fund (DMF) under the MMDR Act would be used for the welfare of the people of the region. The role of the central government is only to support state and UT governments, make laws, and do hand-holding of state governments,” he said.
Reddy said that the auction launched on Monday would unlock employment opportunities in the three districts of Anantnag, Rajouri, and Poonch.
“Transparent auctions will help in better mineral resource management in J&K. During the last three years, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) conducted 13 major explorations, which also included four copper mines, gold, and lignite. We will speed up the coal and other mineral exploration process. The process is on, and it will generate employment opportunities – both direct and indirect. This will create a new value chain which will boost J&K’s economy,” Reddy said.
Describing the e-auction as just a beginning, he asked the investors across the country to be “partners in J&K’s progress.”
He said that the auction reflected the strong Centre-state partnership and the strategic importance of this initiative for the region.
The Union Minister said that as per the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in 2014, the Centre, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reformed the mining regime to make it 100 percent transparent.
In pursuance of SC directives, PM Modi brought this action regime – whether it was related to coal blocks or mineral blocks, over 1000 auctions had taken place successfully with 100 percent transparency and without quoting any controversy.
He said that this auction would usher in a new era of development in J&K.
“We had been waiting for this day for a long time. We had deliberations with the Chief Minister and had decided to initiate an auction regime for J&K’s progress as a collective resolve. We are all here in front of J&K people to fulfill that resolve,” he said.
Reddy said that the initiative was expected to pave the way for job creation, revenue growth, industrial expansion, and new economic opportunities for local communities, advancing J&K’s development trajectory and contributing to the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
While lauding the collaborative effort of the Centre and state governments, the Union Minister said that the Ministry of Mines, Geological Survey of India, and the Government of J&K worked together over the last few months to complete the identification, exploration, and assessment of the seven limestone blocks being launched for e-auction on November 24, 2025.
He said that the initiative to launch the limestone blocks in J&K by the Centre was a testimony to the spirit of cooperative federalism and the commitment of the PM Modi-led government to provide support to state governments for improving their socio-economic conditions, especially of the backward areas of the country.
“All the state governments are rising above petty politics to work together for the inclusive development of the nation as a whole,” he said.
While emphasising the transparent and technology-driven process of the auction, Reddy said that the launch of the limestone block auction on scientific lines would promote ease of doing business and boost investor confidence in the region.
He said that the support of the industry was crucial for bringing transformative change in the development of the region.
The Union Minister said that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, the Indian economy was moving towards a regime that was more stable and confident, with more and more people and industry-friendly initiatives being launched by the government.
“The slogan of ‘Reform, Perform, Transform” is the guiding principle for the government for improving policies and systems and ushering positive change through action and performance. Various policy changes have taken place in the mining sector in the MMDR Act, and more changes will follow,” he said.
Reddy said that the government was committed to making the process transparent, competitive, dynamic, and accountable.
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal and Mines, Sanjay Lohiya, Additional Chief Secretary, Anil Kumar Singh, and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Farida M Naik, were also present on the occasion.
