Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has authorised designated officers of the Geology and Mining Department to file written complaints before Special Courts in cases involving violations of mining rules, strengthening the department’s legal powers to act against illegal mining and other contraventions.
The order, issued by the Mining Department on October 12, empowers officers at different levels to initiate legal proceedings within their respective jurisdictions under Rule 83 of the Jammu and Kashmir Minor Mineral Concession, Storage, Transportation and Prevention of Illegal Mining Rules, 2016.
According to the notification, the Director, Geology and Mining, J&K, has been authorised to file complaints across the entire Union Territory.
The Director will also exercise jurisdiction in districts where the officer posted as District Mineral Officer is below the rank of Assistant Mineral Officer.
Joint Directors of Geology and Mining for Jammu and Kashmir divisions have been empowered to file complaints within their respective divisions, while Deputy Directors of the department can initiate proceedings within their designated jurisdictions.
The government has also authorised all Geology and Mining Department officers not below the rank of Assistant Mineral Officer who are posted in districts to file complaints within their respective districts.
In a further measure aimed at strengthening enforcement, the notification provides that any officer of the department not below the rank of Assistant Mineral Officer who detects an illegality or violation during an inspection in any district will also be authorised to file a complaint before the competent Special Court having jurisdiction over the offence.
This provision extends the authority to initiate legal proceedings beyond an officer’s usual district posting when a violation is detected during an inspection elsewhere, subject to the jurisdiction of the competent Special Court.
The complaints will be filed before the Special Courts designated under Government Notification S.O. 302 of 2025, dated November 27, 2025.
The notification was issued by order of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir and signed by Ashwani Kumar, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary).
The move establishes a defined framework for filing complaints at the divisional, district and Union Territory levels, while enabling eligible officers to initiate proceedings when violations are detected during inspections. It is intended to improve enforcement of the rules governing minor mineral concessions, storage and transportation, and the prevention of illegal mining across Jammu and Kashmir
