Mining rights to non-locals in J&K on hold

In a rare show of unity, BJP legislators back Opposition parties

In a rare move, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kavinder Gupta on Friday put on hold a government directive allowing non-locals to bid for excavation and extraction of minerals in the State.

“The SRO 105 is a serious issue and of public importance. The government is directed to put it on hold. A (all-party) committee set up for it will present a report within 15 days. Let us review the order and see what the committee recommends,” Mr. Gupta said.

Interestingly, the BJP has consistently maintained that it stands for dilution of the State’s special status, particularly Article 370, and was for allowing non-locals to invest in J&K.

Issued by the State Industries and Commerce Department recently, the controversial SRO 105 allows non-State subject companies to bid for mineral excavation in the State.

Ruckus in Assembly

The Assembly was adjourned over the issue on Friday following a ruckus by the Opposition parties, including the National Conference, the Congress, the CPI(M) and other Independent legislators.

In a rare show of support, even the ruling BJP legislators backed the Opposition parties.

Even State Minister for Industries Chandra Prakash, also a senior BJP leader, underlined that “no non-State Subject was eligible for mining in J&K under SRO 105.”