Will not allow J&K’s resources to be exploited: DyCM

Jammu, Dec 4: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary Wednesday stated that the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would not allow illegal mining, mainly resorted to by outsiders, resulting in loot of natural resources, damage to rivers in J&K.

He also asserted that the permission for setting up industries would not be given if they did not provide jobs to local people and if their (industries’) only objective was to get incentives.

Choudhary was interacting with the media after conducting a surprise inspection of DIC, Kathua.

“I’ve been entrusted with a responsibility which I’m performing with dedication. We have been receiving many complaints from Kathua regarding illegal mining and manipulation in the allotment of land for setting up industries. We have received complaints that the land has been given to persons, who don’t belong to Jammu and Kashmir while discriminating against locals, those belonging to J&K. J&K people are losing their industries,” he said, while responding to media queries.

“Our first priority is to rejuvenate dying industries of local people. Then we will think about others (coming from outside). Secondly, our focus is to see if those industries, which are being set up here, are giving employment to local people, mainly youth or not. As a Minister for Industries (and Commerce, Mining, Labour and Employment), I will not allow such industries, which do not give jobs to our people and have been set up only for getting incentives. This will not happen under our regime. This will not be allowed by our Chief Minister Omar Abdullah even,” Choudhary said.

He stated that the agenda of the government was very clear. “We have tightened our noose vis-a-vis illegal mining. We will not allow the people of Punjab to loot our resources (minerals) generated by our rivers. You would have seen that we suspended DMO Kathua as he failed to check illegal mining in his area. As far as (mining) lease is concerned, there is a big scam behind “short term disposal (permit)” as I was surprised to see one person getting permission (permit) for 5000 MTs (for quarrying) for one hour. This is a very big scam and that is why we have suspended him (DMO, Kathua),” he said.

He warned that if inquiry established his (DMO’s) involvement in black marketing or support in illegal mining, he would even face dismissal. “This is my warning to all officers and officials, we will not spare anyone, who is found involved in any malpractice promoting illegal mining. We will not allow our rivers to be exploited and damaged this way. We will not allow our fertile agricultural land to be part of CLU (Change of Land Use) for setting up industries,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.

He also appealed to the media to bring cases of illegal mining with evidence to his notice. “We will take action in all such cases,” he assured.

Earlier, on December 3, 2024, J&K Mining Department ordered the suspension of District Mineral Officer (DMO) Kathua, Naveen Kumar, “pending inquiry into his conduct” in terms of “Rule 31 of Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956 with immediate effect.”

As per order, during the period of suspension, he will remain attached to the Directorate of Geology and Mining, J&K.

“Consequent upon the suspension of Naveen Kumar, District Mineral Officer, Kathua, Varinder Singh, District Mineral Officer, Jammu shall look after the routine work of District Mineral Officer, Kathua in addition to his duties till further orders,” the order read.