KARGIL, APRIL 03, 2021: To discuss various short-term and long-term measures with regard to the judicious and uninterrupted supply of key construction materials like sand, bajree, boulders and clay to the executing departments of developmental works viz; PWD, I&FC, PMGSY, RD, NHPC, NHIDCL, BRO etc and the general public in the district, Chairman and Chief Executive Councilor (CEC), LAHDC, Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan convened a meeting with the concerned officers at Council Secretariat here today.

Executive Councilor for Works Mubarak Shah Nagvi, Additional Deputy Commissioner Tsering Motup, Deputy Director Geology and Mining Ladakh Dr Amarjeet Singh Sodhi, District Mineral Officer (DMO), Mukhtar Ahmad, Executive Engineers of PWD, R&B, I&FC, SVD, PMGSY, officers of NHIDCL and Project VIJAYAK, other concerned officers besides the Presidents of Contractors’ and Tipper Unions were present in the meeting.

Since the e-auctioning process as per prevailing mining rules in the district is yet to be initiated which will take time in identification of minor mineral blocks/zonation, securing mining plans and environmental clearances from concerned authorities, the CEC asserted on immediate short-term solutions keeping in view the topographical conditions and harsh climatic conditions besides the short working season available in the district which is entirely different from rest of the country.  

During the course of the meeting, detailed deliberations and discussions were held on a systematic and judicious use of key construction materials for developmental works purely in public interest.

It was decided in the meeting that the Revenue Department Kargil shall provide some spots on state land at different locations within the district where short term permits shall be issued to individuals for a period of 3 months only by the Geology and Mining Department Ladakh after obtaining the requisite NOCs on advance payment of royalty by the permit holder to provide uninterrupted supply of key construction materials to the consumers viz; developmental works in public interest and general public for personal use, keeping in view the time bound completion of development works within the short working season available besides to fulfill the personal needs of the general public.

The meeting further decided that the permit holder shall have to obtain the mining plan prepared by a registered RQP and also secure the requisite NOCs and necessary environmental clearance from the concerned authorities. 

As a part of the long-term measures, the meeting decided that the LAHDC Kargil, and the Revenue Department shall assist the Department of Geology and Mining, UT Ladakh in identification of minor mineral 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 there under and NGT guidelines issued from time to time.