JAMMU, Nov. 25 -- Union Minister of Coal & Mines G. Kishan Reddy, along with Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, today launched the first-ever auction process for limestone mineral blocks in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir during a dedicated launch programme and roadshow held in Jammu.

This milestone initiative marks a significant step in implementing the mining reforms introduced under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act), 2015 and positions Jammu & Kashmir among States and UTs adopting a transparent, digital, and auction-based system for mineral resource allocation.

Seven limestone blocks, spread across the districts of Anantnag, Rajou...