Elimination of corruption
In another significant step to eliminate corruption, the Jammu and Kashmir government is all set to launch an e-portal to make construction material available online across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir with an aim to curb the menace of corruption and tighten noose against the mining ‘mafia’. The construction material including sand, gravel and other, will now be available to the people through online medium as the Jammu and Kashmir Geology and Mining Department is set to launch e-portal on the lines of big e-market companies.The districts-wise names of all license holders dealing in construction material along with the rate will be made available on the portal. For this exercise e Challan service has already been started successfully.Notably, in the year 2016, the Ministry of Mines through Indian Bureau of Mines launched Mine Surveillance System (MSS), which is a satellite-based monitoring system with an objective to establish a regime of responsive mineral administration by curbing instances of illegal mining activity through automatic remote sensing detection technology.Subsequently, the Ministry of Mines asked all the States/UTs to take up and implement the Mining Surveillance System (MSS) in case of minor minerals.Accordingly, on the request of Geology & Mining Department of J&K Government, IT Section of J&K Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited (SICOP) prepared Detailed Project Report (DPR) for developing and maintaining a comprehensive Mine Surveillance System (MSS) web portal.However, at a sensitization workshop on implementation of e-Operations for the officers and officials of the department before the launch of a unique initiative of Geology & Mining Department relating to implementation of e-Operations and overhauling of operations in the department with focus on implementation of e-Challans and e-Marketplace in Mining Operations, Secretary, Mining Department Amit Sharma said that the vision and Mission of the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha and Chief Secretary Dr Arun K Mehta are being implemented in Mining Department wherein there is zero tolerance for corruption through the successful implementation of e-Governance models.Nearly 200 Mining blocks were e-Auctioned recently and the Mining Department has resolved towards adherence to e-Practices which is the need of the hour. Tt will be a major initiative to bring transparency in the working of the mining department and also to make construction material available to the people.