Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 27: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) today described the policy adopted by the Geology and Mining Department with regard to allotment of mining and extraction contracts in Kashmir as alarming and against the public interest.
A statement issued here said that the lack of protective mechanisms in the policy has reportedly deprived thousands of families of their livelihood and exposed consumers to exploitation by a mining syndicate.
“The recent bidding for mineral blocks in Kashmir province clearly indicate that local stakeholders have been side-lined. Use of financial muscle power has totally wiped them out in Srinagar and reports from other districts are equally discouraging,” a KCC&I spokesperson said.
It further said that the auction bid for 15 blocks in Pulwama has jumped from the previous Rs 2 crore to a whopping Rs 17.82 crore.
“There is no way that the local contractors can compete and thus disadvantaged. While the Government may see the increase in revenue as a positive sign, the consequential increase in material costs for the consumers suggest that it is the local consumers who have to pay the price,” it said.
KCC&I has also raised alarm over the introduction of heavy machinery in the extraction process, saying that it would leave the local sand diggers jobless and the environmental costs are also worrying.
“The Government of Jammu and Kashmir is duty-bound to protect the legitimate entitlement of people of Jammu and Kashmir. Utmost caution needs to be exercised in the formulation of economic policies,” KCC&I asserted.
The Chamber has urged for an urgent review of the mining and extraction policy to address local interests and incorporate protective clauses for stakeholders and consumers.
It demanded that a district wise share of local stakeholders needs to be reserved to the extent of nothing less than 80 per cent and market prices of materials need to be capped, along with the engagement of local labour and the use of heavy machinery be restricted.
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