J&K not handing over mines to Centre: CM

Jammu, Nov 24: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Monday said that the J&K government did not hand over its mines to the Centre rather the Government of India was helping J&K enhance its revenue generation resources.

The CM made these remarks during the launch and roadshow of the e-auction of the first seven limestone mineral blocks of J&K, held at the Convention Centre, Jammu.

“Just to end any scope for vicious propaganda by our political friends (adversaries) that we have handed over our mines to the Centre, I need to clarify here in an unambiguous manner – No, there is no such thing. Not at all,” CM Omar said.

Elaborating on this account, he said, “The Centre has only offered its help to us. Nowhere have these mines been given to the Government of India. Nowhere is the Centre seeking any share for itself in these mines. As far as I know, we don’t have to pay even a single penny to the Centre for this help, anywhere. They only want to help J&K in enhancing its revenue generation. Today’s initiative is aimed at increasing J&K’s own revenue, which currently stands at around Rs 500 crore from these mineral blocks.”

The CM said that when more blocks are identified, he hopes J&K’s earnings will grow.

“I look forward to the day when the Chief Minister of J&K will not have to go to Delhi seeking funds. On the contrary, we will be self-sufficient and capable of contributing to the Centre,” he said.

CM Omar said that a special group for exploration would be constituted in J&K.

“In fact, this proposal has come from the Union Minister himself as central assistance to J&K,” he said.

The CM thanked Reddy for proposing a special group within the Ministry of Mines to fast-track mineral exploration in J&K.

The e-auction was jointly launched by Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary.

Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Sanjay Lohiya, Additional Chief Secretary, Mining Department, Anil Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Farida M Naik, senior officials from the Government of India, J&K government, and representatives from the mining and industrial sectors were also present.

CM Omar reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring transparency in the auctioning of mineral blocks in J&K, saying that the new e-auction mechanism would unlock economic potential in some of the most underserved regions of J&K.

He said that the e-auction initiative marked a crucial step towards economic revival and sustainable development in mineral-rich but economically weaker areas of J&K.

“At least, we have limestone, and that limestone lies in areas where the economic situation is very bad,” the CM said.

He recalled how J&K’s mineral wealth, including the famous Neelam (sapphire) of Paddar and marble deposits, remained commercially underutilised for decades.

CM Omar revealed that Union Minister Reddy personally intervened and urged J&K to take renewed interest in completing the process.

“In between, the Union Minister picked up the phone from Delhi and spoke to me. He asked me to push this forward so that these e-auctions are concluded successfully,” he said.

Reiterating his commitment to good governance, the CM said, “Our effort is to have these blocks auctioned in a transparent manner. I assure you that the J&K government will not create any obstacles. Instead, we will ensure that this process – and the next one is successful. I hope this programme proves beneficial for J&K and for the entire country.”

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary described the day as “historic,” marking a transformative step toward harnessing the mineral wealth of J&K.

He said the government was committed to responsibly extract the “scattered wealth hidden in the mountains of J&K,” and would soon extend e-auctioning to other high-value resources.

“Besides limestone, we are exploring all options for auctioning lithium, sapphire, and other valuable minerals. Very soon, people will hear good news about these resources,” the Deputy CM said.