JAMMU, Dec 26: The Union Government has put forward proposals to modify the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act-1957 to extend its applicability to Jammu & Kashmir.
As per the draft bill, the proposed amendment aims to remove the phrase “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.” The Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024, seeks to include Jammu & Kashmir, which had been previously excluded.
The Union Ministry of Coal has reached out to all states and Union Territories, requesting feedback from the public and State Governments on these proposed changes. In response, J&K’s Department of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs has directed the Commissioner Secretary of the Mining Department to convey their observations directly to the Union Coal Ministry.
According to the Geology and Mining Department of J&K, the Union Territory is estimated to have coal reserves amounting to 9.5 million tonnes. The main coal deposits are found in Kalakote, Jangalgali, Metka, Ladha, Chinka, Dhansal, Swalkote, Chakar, Dandil, Mohogala, San-gar-Marg, and Kura. The Kalakote coal mines are believed to contain approximately 5.4 million tonnes of usable reserve at depths of up to about 300 metres, as reported by the Geological Survey of India.
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