KARGIL, APRIL 21, 2021: On the Ladakh Union Territory administration’s intention to provide National level bidding for minor mining blocks in Ladakh, various stakeholders including political and socio-religious organisations expressed their resentment over the potential move.

On April 3, the hill council in a meeting had decided to “assist the Department of Geology and Mining UT Ladakh in identification of Minor Minerals blocks on State land at different locations for e-auctioning purpose as per the prevailing MM (D&R) Act of 1957 (Central Act 67 of 1957) rules made thereunder and NGT guidelines issued from time to time”, read a press release issued by the Department of Information and Public Relations Kargil.

On seeking clarification about the bidding, the District Mineral Officer Kargil Mukhtar Ahmed said that the bidding shall take place at the national level for which identification of mining sites and blocks are under process. In the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, the minor mining sites were regulated under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957. In 2016 the J&K government had brought SRO-105 where the minor mining blocks were decided to auction at the state level. At that time, considering the geographical and climatic conditions, the LAHDC administration had advocated to exempt blocks in Ladakh from state-level bidding and regulated locally at the district level, the officer Mukhtar Ahmed elaborated.

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Now, the UT administration has halted all the minor mining works that were taking place beyond the SRO-105. Later, to continue construction, public and private works in the UT, the administration has issued “short-term permit” to various departments mainly the Department of Roads and Building (R&B) and Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC). Now the minor mining at state lands will take place at two-level. First, after bidding at the national level and secondly, at the panchayat level to operate small projects like MGNREGA.

However, the public representatives in Ladakh are looking at the national level bidding of minor mining blocks as a threat to the ecology, economy, culture, and future of Ladakh.

The Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan said that there is no such huge block to do bidding at the national level. There are resentments shown in J&K also on the said policy. The LAHDC Kargil has taken the issue with the LAHDC in Leh. Together we will take up the issue with UT admin to keep the bidding reserved for locals. The mining policy for Ladakh is also under process and we are trying to ensure that the minor mining sites in Ladakh remain reserved for locals.

CEC Leh Tashi Gyaltsan had no detailed knowledge about the said issue. However, he also said that the bidding should not happen at the national level. He wanted to get a written questionnaire but when approached by this office again he was not available to respond to the call.

The former MLA and Co-Chairman Kargil Democratic Alliance Haji Asgar Ali Karbalai said that the UT administration’s move to do the minor mining bidding at the national level without the consent of the public representatives is unfortunate. This is not at all in the interest of the public in Ladakh. Ladakh is a geographically cutoff, ecologically fragile, and historically unique place. The influx of national actors for mining will ruin and destroy its distinct culture and fragile environment. Thus, as per past practice in erstwhile J&K State, the mining blocks in Ladakh should remain exclusive for locals.

The current government in the center is usurping the political, civil, and social rights of people one after another. The current move is an attempt to snatch the resources of Ladakh from the locals, Karbalai added.

KDA Co-Chairman and veteran leader Qambar Ali Akhone said that the political and socio-religious stakeholders in Ladakh should unanimously stand against this move. This decision will prove destructive and poisonous for the future generations of Ladakh. This will bring a lot of noise and smoke to inhale for the Ladakhis.

Former Minister J&K and Vice President Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) Tsering Dorjay Lakruk said, “We think that the bidding should be done by the council as the land is also in their hands. LBA has a pro-Ladakh stand, however, the two councils and contractors should raise the issue first then we will surely stand with them for this cause. If they remain silent, making a protest from our side would be wrong.

President of the Anjuman Jamiat Ulema Isna Ashriya Kargil (AJUIAK) Sheikh Nazir Mehdi Mohammadi said that the resources of Ladakh are very scarce, so the income is very limited. The locals are dependent on these limited resources for their livelihood. These minor mining sites should be limited to the locals and in the tendering process, only locals should be eligible for bidding.

In absence of the Chairman Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust (IKMT), Vice Chairman for religious affairs, Sheikh Bashir Shakir said that IKMT always raises and stands with public issues. The current issue of minor mining sites is another shortcoming of the UT Ladakh where the public is suffering in every sphere, Shakir said.

“How many mining sites Ladakh have to bring National companies for bidding? These are the only few sources of income to the locals that are trying to usurp again from the public. In addition, this will turn Ladakh into a desert full of pollution and smoke. The construction materials will also become very expensive for the locals”, maintained Shakir.