1000 Atal Tinkering labs to come up in J&K
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 9: The chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta chaired the 174th meeting of the Board of Directors of JK Minerals.
The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Commis-sioner/ Secretary, Mining Department, Director, Geology and Mining, Managing Director JKML, Director General Planning & Monitoring Department, and Financial Advisor / CAO JKML.
It was informed that despite the COVID-19 crisis which had far-reaching economic and social repercussions, J&K Minerals has shown a satisfactory performance and has continued to deliver much-needed raw material to the mineral-based industries in Jammu and Kashmir.
It was further informed that the Corporation, for the first time, ventured into minor mineral exploitation & operationalized four minor mineral blocks in the Jammu region which ensured a regular supply of construction material like sand, boulders, and rbm to various prestigious projects including the construction of AIIMS, IIM, ring road in twin capital cities, and works on the National Highway 44, among others.
Moreover, the preliminary survey of Paddar Sapphire Mine has been completed by the Geological Survey of India and further options are being explored for the scientific exploration of the area. The Chief Secretary directed the constitution of a committee to evaluate the issue regarding the quantity of reserves and a suitable mechanism for its sustainable extraction, besides recommending the future course of action in this regard.
Regarding the Kalakote mines, the Mining Department was asked to conduct a safety audit through the Director-General, Mines Safety, Government of India within 3 months, and rationalize the excess labour from these mines to other minor minerals mines.
Dr. Mehta also reviewed the functioning of Parlanka Gypsum mines in Ramban district and directed allotment of additional blocks to JK Minerals for boosting gypsum extraction from the mines which currently stands at 40,000 MT per month.
Meanwhile, The Chief Secretary chaired a meeting to take stock of arrangements for opening Atal Tinkering Laboratories in various Educational Institutions of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Principal Secretary, School Education Department, Principal Secretary Youth Service and Sports Department, MD, Atal Innovation Mission, Dr. Chintan Vaishnav NITI Aayog, Programme Director Atal Innovation Mission and Innovation Leads from NITI Aayog, besides Director School Education Jammu & Kashmir attended the meeting.
It was informed that NITI Aayog will be establishing 1,000 Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATL) in Jammu and Kashmir of which 187 will be established by the end of this financial year. ATL is an initiative to boost cognitive development in children where they are given avenues to experiment and widen their understanding of phenomena on scientific ideas.
The Chief Secretary directed the School Education Department to fix timelines for establishing these laboratories in various districts of the UT and also emphasize on the nomination of trainers/champions against suitable incentives. Besides, the Department was also asked to ensure regular maintenance of infrastructure and equipment of these centres in convergence with other government departments.
The School Education Department was further asked to explore industrial linkages which can be created to tap the IT and technical prowess of the younger generation in finding scientific and innovative solutions to existing problems.
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