Srinagar: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday criticised government for allocating mining blocks to non locals. Adding that “J&K is already grappling unemployment”.
With the bidding process being held online, PDP said, many local businessmen were left at a disadvantage as high-speed Internet connectivity remains restricted in Kashmir.
“Allocation of mining blocks to nonlocals has been widely criticised as J&K is already grappling unemployment. They banned internet, issued tenders for mining. 75% of successful bidders r nonlocals. Will @dcpulwama explain how extraction is allowed without tender allotment @JKACB,” tweeted Peoples Democratic Party.
Allocation of mining blocks to nonlocals has been widely criticised as J&K is already grappling unemployment. They banned internet, issued tenders for mining. 75% of successful bidders r nonlocals. Will @dcpulwama explain how extraction is allowed without tender allotment @JKACB pic.twitter.com/tBOP50GPYF
— J&K PDP (@jkpdp) July 14, 2020
Meanwhile, For the first time ever, non-local companies have bagged a majority of contracts for the extraction of minerals from the water bodies of Kashmir.
With the bidding process being held online, many local businessmen were left at a disadvantage as high-speed Internet connectivity remains restricted in Kashmir after the Centre read down Article 370 on August 5, 2019.
More than 200 mineral blocks in Jhelum and its tributaries across all 10 districts of the Valley were opened for mining of sand, boulders, gravel and other river bed material in December last.
In Srinagar, all the 10 blocks have gone into the kitty of non-resident contractors against the bidding amount of Rs 5.08 crore. In Baramulla, the 38 blocks of minerals have fetched Rs 20.15 crore to the department of geology and mining. Of these, 26 have been secured by contractors from outside the Valley.
Similarly in Budgam, of the total seven blocks auctioned at Rs 4.67 crore, four on the river Jhelum have gone into the kitty of contractors from Punjab, while Kashmiri contractors have bagged the remaining three blocks on tributaries of Jhelum. Likewise, outside companies have won mining rights over more than 60% blocks in Pulwama district.
