SRINAGAR: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Tuesday directed Jammu and Kashmir Minerals Limited (JKML) to fast-track key mining projects and improve operational efficiency as part of efforts to transform the public sector undertaking into a financially viable enterprise.
Chairing the 176th meeting of the Board of Directors of JKML at the Civil Secretariat here, Choudhary said the corporation has an important role in the industrial development of Jammu and Kashmir and should emerge as a self-reliant and profitable public sector undertaking.
He directed the management to ensure time-bound execution of ongoing and upcoming projects, emphasising optimum utilisation of mineral resources, transparency in operations and rationalisation of manpower at the Kalakote coal mines.
The Deputy Chief Minister also called for the early operationalisation of the limestone mine at Khrew, additional gypsum blocks in Ramban district and a fuel pump at Khrew in Pulwama. He said these projects would enhance the corporation’s production capacity and support industrial and infrastructure development in the Union Territory.
Emphasising employment generation, Choudhary instructed the management to expedite new mining projects to create job opportunities for local youth.
During the meeting, the Board reviewed the progress of ongoing projects and discussed measures to increase mineral production, expand business operations and promote sustainable and scientific mining practices.
The Board also approved several financial and administrative proposals aimed at improving operational efficiency, strengthening governance and enhancing the overall performance of the corporation.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Mining Department, Ashwani Kumar, Director, Geology and Mining, the Managing Director of JK Minerals Limited and other senior officers of the department and the corporation.
