Srinagar, Nov. 23 -- In a major industrial push, the Union government will on Monday launch the first-ever auction of mineral blocks in Jammu & Kashmir, with seven limestone deposits set to go under the hammer.

The Ministry of Mines said the move marks the first mining block auction in the Union Territory since the latest reforms, signalling a shift towards a more transparent and competitive mineral sector focused on sustainable development.

Spread across Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch districts, the blocks together cover around 314 hectares. Officials say these deposits have strong potential for high-grade limestone used in cement production, infrastructure development, and other industrial processes.

The deposits fall under the G3 and ...