Deputy Commissioner Doda, Harvinder Singh (Chairman of the Multi-Department District Level Task Force Cell), today chaired a meeting to review and strengthen the regulation, monitoring and management of mining activities in the district. During the meeting, detailed deliberations were held on the implementation of the Mining Surveillance & Monitoring Portal, aimed at ensuring transparency and real-time monitoring of mining operations.
The Deputy Commissioner emphasized the effective utilization of the portal to curb illegal mining and ensure strict compliance with established norms. The Chairman directed the concerned officers to thoroughly scrutinize the documents seeking Change of Land Use for crushers and hot mix plants.
He cautioned that any deficiency detected would lead to suspension of portal access. The meeting also reviewed the implementation of closure orders issued by the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC) and the District Magistrate against crusher units operating without valid permissions.
Directions were issued to the concerned departments to ensure strict enforcement of these orders in letter and spirit. Issues related to mining blocks, including their operational status and regulatory compliance, were discussed in detail. The status of CCTV installation at all identified locations was also reviewed, with directions issued to expedite installation and ensure effective monitoring to curb illegal mining.
The Chairman directed the District Mineral Officer (DMO) to erect boundary pillars at all mining blocks to prevent infringement. Stressing on timely levying of royalty from contractors, he said that the same would be utilized for the welfare of mining-affected families.
Furthermore, stress was laid on joint inspections at the Tehsil level by Revenue and Police authorities. “The enforcement officers shall conduct joint inspections, hold review meetings, verify compliance on the ground and take action in case of any violations,” he directed.
The meeting was attended by the Senior Superintendent of Police, Sandeep Mehta; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Anil Kumar Thakur; Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Ashraf Parvaiz; District Mineral Officer; District Pollution Control Officer; officers from the Forest, Irrigation Departments and revenue officials from SQ Section DC Office Doda.