*Present dispensation too showing lack of interest
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Aug 21: The much-talked about exploration and exploitation of sapphire mines located in Padder area of Kishtwar district on scientific lines is unlikely to become a reality in near future as even the present PDP-BJP Coalition Government is not showing much interest in initiating the required steps. The most astonishing aspect is that the concerned authorities are still groping in dark about quantum of reserves of this world famous precious stone.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that several dispensations have come and gone in Jammu and Kashmir but tapping the potential of high-grade and world famous sapphire has remained a distant dream as only official statements were issued by the successive Ministers for Industries in this regard instead of taking steps on ground.
This is notwithstanding the fact that sapphire from Padder valley in Kishtwar district is famous world over for its unique peacock-blue colour and unmatched clarity and transparency. If tapped fully, the sapphire can not only contribute enormously to the exchequer of the Government but can also generate huge employment for the local youth of Kishtwar in general and Padder in particular.
Following failure of earlier attempts to yield desired results, the Jammu and Kashmir Minerals Ltd, which has been granted mining lease for Padder sapphire, invited Expression of Interest (EOI) afresh globally in the month of April 2013 for exploration and exploitation of mines in joint venture.
“However, despite lapse of more than three years the process of global tenders has failed to reach the logical conclusion as earlier the previous dispensation continued non-serious approach and now the PDP-BJP Coalition Government is not showing much seriousness”, sources said, adding “till date the Request For Proposal (RFP) has not been formulated for circulation among the shortlisted parties for the purpose of obtaining final bid to facilitate selection of joint venture partner”.
Stating that no time-frame can be specified for completion of global tender process for want of Request For Proposal, sources said, “following preparation of RFP the J&K Minerals Ltd will have to submit the same to the Finance Department for its analysis and approval”, adding “after the nod from the Finance Department the RFP will be circulated to five shortlisted parties and thereafter the process of obtaining final technical and financial bids would be set into motion”.
Moreover, it would be only after evaluation of technical and financial bids that one company will be finalized for carrying out exploration and exploitation of Padder sapphire mines on scientific lines, sources said, adding “keeping in view the lengthy procedural formalities tapping potential of high-grade sapphire is unlikely to become reality in near future”.
“J&K Minerals Ltd is soft-paddling on this vital aspect despite being aware of the fact that it would be only after taking global tender process to logical conclusion that the State Government would be able to know the exact quantum of reserves of sapphire mines”, they regretted.
When contacted, Managing Director, J&K Minerals Ltd, Abid Sohail confirmed that global tender process has yet not concluded and said, “keeping in view present unrest in Kashmir valley it will take some more time”. However, he failed to specify the reason behind inordinate delay in formulation of Request For Proposal during the period when there was no disturbance in Valley.
It is pertinent to mention here that at present J&K Minerals Ltd is deputing its team annually for mining on small scale during the working season starting from mid June till mid September in the presence of police. Because of extreme weather conditions and snowfall, Padder sapphire mines remain inaccessible for most part of the year. In order to check illegal mining, police posts have been established at all strategic points from Atholi up to main site. The last police posts are situated at Sumcham village and Kuddi (mine site).
Laying thrust on scientific exploration and exploitation of Padder mines, sources said that mining on small scale by J&K Minerals Ltd is not yielding much revenue. This is evident from the fact that since 2006-07 till 2015-16, the collection made by J&K Minerals yielded only Rs 4.20 crore.
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