CM Omar reviews readiness of Integrated Mining Surveillance System
Srinagar, Oct 15: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Mining Department at the Civil Secretariat here to assess the department’s modernization initiatives, regulatory framework, and ongoing reforms in mineral management and surveillance, said an official statement.
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 officers of the department.
A major highlight of the review was a presentation and live demonstration of the Integrated Mining Surveillance System (IMSS) — a digital initiative developed in collaboration with BISAG (Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics). The IMSS portal and mobile application provide real-time monitoring of mining activities through dashboards integrated with e-Challan and e-Market systems. This innovation aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance in mineral operations across Jammu and Kashmir.
He informed the meeting that over 243 triggers have already been generated for field verification through features such as vehicle tracking, GPS-enabled monitoring, PoS-linked e-challaning (integrated with J&K Bank), and on-the-spot enforcement to curb illegal mining.
While appreciating the initiative, the CM directed the developers to explore delineating and delegating PoS functions to expand the use of digital monitoring systems. He also called for integration of the department’s existing portal with the IMSS platform to ensure seamless implementation and improved results.
The CM further suggested that the application should allow citizens to register complaints through mobile gadgets to be integrated in the system with satellite imagery or other evidence, strengthening public participation and grievance redressal.
He instructed the department to categorize active and non-active mineral vendors or suppliers and establish a dedicated monitoring cell at the Directorate level for continuous data tracking and real-time oversight.
The Mining Department has made the use of GPS-enabled transport and PoS-based transactions mandatory to track mineral movement and prevent leakages. Legal enforcement mechanisms have been reinforced through the requirement of royalty clearance certificates, in line with recent directions from the Hon’ble High Court, thereby tightening regulatory oversight and ensuring responsible mineral extraction practices.
Speaking on the issue of illegal mining, Omar Abdullah underscored the need to eliminate collusion at lower levels of administration, asserting that illegal operations cannot persist without internal complicity.
“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,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister also reviewed exploration projects currently being carried out by MECL and GSI, covering sapphire, lithium, lignite, and shallow biogenic gas reserves in various districts. He was informed about ongoing exploration of granite, graphite, gypsum, copper, and base metals, supported by detailed geological mapping, drilling, and feasibility assessments.
He stressed on ensuring strict compliance with environmental regulations, particularly in eco-sensitive zones, while expanding mineral development activities in a sustainable manner.
The Chief Minister commended the Mining Department for adopting digital innovation and institutional reforms and urged continued focus on transparency, efficiency, and environmental responsibility in the sector.
