Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 22: Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Home and Tourism, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo today called for outsourcing of unviable coal mines, adding modern mine exploration machinery needs to be installed for ensuring optimum exploitation of vast mineral reserves in the State.
Speaking at the 164th meeting of the Board of Directors of Jammu and Kashmir Minerals Ltd (JKML) held at Civil Secretariat, Mr. Kichloo said that J&K is bestowed with abundant mineral reserves which need to be explored scientifically. He asked the management of the Jammu and Kashmir Minerals Ltd to undertake only economically viable and technically feasible mines.
The Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, B. R. Sharma, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce, Shantmanu, consultant Finance Department, R. Magotra, Director Geology and Mining, Farooq Ahmad, Managing Director JK Minerals, A. S. Hussain and concerned officers attended the meeting.
Mr. Kichloo enjoined upon the management of the Corporation to explore further marketing channeling for sale and auction of world famous sapphire also known as Neelam.
The meeting also deliberated on revival of the cement project at Wuyan and it was decided that the Corporation will utilize its about 140 kanals of land near Wuyan for Construction of a 600 ton per day capacity cement plant. A Techno Economic Feasibility Report (TEFR) has already been prepared from M/s National Council for Cement and Building Material (NCB) and its estimated cost will be about Rs. 125 crore. It will be a joint venture arrangement.
The meeting also took a sympathetic view to the employees demand regarding regularization of the services of Daily Rated Workers appointed on compassionate grounds under SRO-283.
The meeting also agreed to consider stoppage of recovery of House Rent Allowance from wages of the mine workers on the analogy of Coal India Limited (CIL). The meeting also approved to bring about 345 casual workers of coal mines under Group Insurance Scheme as their working conditions are prone to hazardous conditions.
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