Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Minerals department has decided to priorities the gypsum extraction to the maximum level in the new Union Territory.
“Parlanka sector is to come under construction of Sawalakote Hydro Electric Dam Project, the Corporation/Govt. is keen to extract maximum possible Gypsum reserves from this sector in a time bound manner,” an official document reads.
As per contingency programme formulated by the Corporation around 5 to 7 million tons of gypsum is likely to submerge under the dam project. “Therefore, to ensure that these huge deposits are excavated within 5 to 7 years period the Corporation has concentrated its men & machinery on parlanka Gypsum Project,” it reads.
J&K Minerals limited is the first & only Govt. Company operating in mining sector in the J&K since1960.
Due to such timely action taken by Corporation the production of gypsum has increased from targeted production of 10,000 MTS to 50,000 MTS per month and is expected to cross the mark of 10 lac MTS per year.
Sources within the Minerals department told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that the Corporation has more than doubled its revenue since last 5 years from 11.60 crore to 25 crores and simultaneously generated cash surplus.
The extraction from Lime Stone Quarry (LSQ) Khrew Pulwama Kashmir is in the pipeline. Once production is started it is expected to generate additional revenue of Rs 40.00 Lakhs per month.
Besides Gypsum the Corporation is carrying out the extraction of coal from its Coal Mines situated in Kalakote Rajouri.
Coal mining has been carried out over a period of 55 years and the coal production from mine has reduced considerably currently around 50 to 55 MTS per day. The production has reduced from the mine owing to increase in lead and lift, besides, it has given rise to safety concerns
It is pertinent to mention here that that out of 750 employees of the Corporation around 550 employees including daily rated workers are employed at coal mines Kalkote.
Therefore the corporation is exploring new Coal mines and has already taken lead by starting mining activities at Kotla Coal Mines (Reasi).
Due to improvement in Financial Position, the Corporation is regular in paying its salary and wages and depositing its Coal Mines Provident Fund for its Coal Mine Workers and C.P. F to the employees. Rs. 5.91 Crores has been remitted in the last fiscal to CMPF /CPF authorities which was pending since 01/04/2008. (KNS)
