Srinagar, Nov. 25 -- The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir has launched its first auction of limestone mineral blocks, marking its entry into the national digital auction framework introduced under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act), 2015.

The auction process was jointly inaugurated in Jammu by Union Coal & Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary during a dedicated launch programme and industry roadshow.

Seven limestone blocks located in Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch districts have been opened for bidding. Classified under the G3 and G4 stages of the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC), these blocks span roughly 314 hectare...