J&K Legislative Assembly Committee on Environment will hold a significant meeting in Srinagar on August 6, 2026 to assess the progress of mineral exploration and resource mapping, with particular focus on Lithium exploration in the UT, details of study about its environmental impacts, status of sapphire of Paddar and marble deposits in J&K along with the health of revenue generation.
The panel is scheduled to seek Action Taken Report (ATR), along with the details of the steps taken to Implement the recommendations and directions contained in the Report of the Committee on Environment, I&K Legislative Assembly, pertaining to the Geology and Mining Department, which was tabled in the House during the Budget Session, 2026
The meeting will be chaired by the CPI-M MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, who is heading this important LA Committee.
All Committee members viz., Prof Gharu Ram, Sajad Gani Lone, Baldev Raj Sharma, Daleep Singh, Showkat Hussain Ganie, Javaid Ahmad Mirchal, Dr Sajjad Shafi, Salman Sagar, Javaid Riyaz (Bedar), Dr Rameshwar Singh and Devyani Rana are expected to attend the meeting to discuss its 15-point agenda in the hall of the Legislative Assembly complex in the summer capital.
The Financial Commissioner, (Additional Chief Secretary) to Government Geology and Mining Department; the Director Geology and Mining Department and all District Mineral Officers J&K, besides the Chairman Pollution Control Committee J&K along with the concerned officers have also been asked to participate in the meeting.
The committee is likely to deliberate on the present status of the proposed Comprehensive Minor Mining Policy-2026 and measures for strengthening transparency, scientific mining and environmental safeguards; implementation of the J&K Mineral Exploration Trust Rules, 2026 and the progress of mineral exploration and resource mapping in the Union Territory of J&K.
It is expected to assess the district-wise status of illegal mining of minor minerals, action taken against offenders, seizure of vehicles, recovery of penalties and measures to curb unauthorised extraction for the financial year 2025-26 besides the status report on the implementation of technology-based monitoring systems, including GPS tracking, geo-fencing, e-permits, e-challans and digital surveillance of mining operations and mineral transportation, since 2025.
As per meeting agenda, the panel is to review the list of Environmental Clearances (ECs), District Survey Reports (DSRs), replenishment studies and compliance with statutory environmental requirements before grant of mining leases from 2024 till date.
The assessment of district-wise details of contractors, lease holders, mining concessionaires, crusher unit owners and firms against whom royalty, penalty, fine, dead rent or any other government dues are outstanding, running on forest or government land, involved in illegal mining from January 1, 2024 till date, the amount recoverable against each defaulter and whether any vigilance, audit, departmental inquiry or recovery proceedings have been initiated in such cases and the present status is also part of the meeting agenda.
Besides, the LA panel is scheduled to review the implementation of approved Mining Plans, Mine Closure Plans and compliance with the provisions of the J&K Minor Mineral Concession Rules and other applicable regulations; the implementation of the J&K Mineral Exploration Trust Rules, 2026 and the progress of mineral exploration and resource mapping in the Union Territory.
The status of e-auction of mining blocks, grant and renewal of mineral concessions, lease management and measures to enhance transparency in mineral allocation; district-wise revenue collection, royalty realisation, prevention of revenue leakage and enforcement of royalty compliance in mineral transportation will also be assessed during the meeting.
Among other key agenda items include the assessment of the availability of minor minerals for public infrastructure projects and measures to ensure uninterrupted and regulated supply; status on functioning of the Unified Mining Portal and digital initiatives aimed at improving transparency, ease of doing business and public service delivery and the mechanism for inter-departmental coordination with the Revenue, Police, Transport, Forest, Irrigation and Flood Control and district administrations for effective enforcement against illegal mining in J&K.
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