Jammu- In a landmark move for the Union Territory, Jammu and Kashmir has launched its first ever auction of limestone mineral blocks, a step Union Minister G Kishan Reddy said will place the region firmly on the country’s mineral map.
Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary jointly rolled out the auction of seven limestone blocks spread across Anantnag, Rajouri and Poonch, covering nearly 314 hectares.
Speaking at a roadshow, Reddy said the launch marks a major shift in J&K’s growth trajectory. He added that the auction follows the transparent mining framework mandated by the Supreme Court in 2014 and strengthened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Reddy said the move is expected to generate employment, boost state revenue, encourage industrial expansion and open new economic opportunities for local communities. He described the initiative as a step toward the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Highlighting the coordinated effort behind the project, the minister said the Mines Ministry, Geological Survey of India and the J&K government worked over several months to identify, explore and assess the seven limestone blocks. He said the auction reflects the spirit of cooperative federalism and the Centre’s commitment to supporting states, particularly backward regions.
Reddy urged all political parties to rise above differences for inclusive development. He said J&K has the potential to emerge as a mineral powerhouse and significantly improve local incomes.
He assured stakeholders that the Union Government will not impose any new tax and that all premiums and royalties will flow directly to the state. He added that the District Mineral Fund under the MMDR Act will be used for public welfare.
Emphasising a transparent and technology driven auction process, Reddy said the scientific approach adopted for the limestone blocks will boost investor confidence and improve the ease of doing business. Industry participation, he said, is essential for transforming J&K’s development landscape.
Reddy added that under Prime Minister Modi, India is moving toward a more stable, confident and industry friendly economic regime. He said the government continues to follow the principle of reform, perform and transform while upgrading policies and systems. Several changes have already been introduced in the mining sector under the MMDR Act, and more are expected.
He said the government is committed to making the mining process transparent, competitive and accountable. The launch of this auction, he added, strengthens India’s path to becoming self reliant, with the mineral economy set to play a key role in national development in the coming years.
Notably, the launching of mineral blocks marked a significant step in implementing the mining reforms introduced under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act), 2015 and has positioned Jammu & Kashmir among States and UTs adopting a transparent, digital, and auction-based system for mineral resource allocation.
An official said, “Seven limestone blocks, spread across the districts of Anantnag, Rajouri, and Poonch, were put up for auction. These blocks, classified under G3 and G4 stages of the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC), cover approximately 314 hectares and are anticipated to generate significant industrial interest, particularly in the cement and construction sectors.”
The auction, he said, is being conducted under subsections (4) and (5) of Section 11 of the MMDR Act, represents a major step forward in unlocking the mineral wealth of Jammu & Kashmir, which is now entering the national competitive bidding ecosystem for the first time.
“The limestone auction in Jammu & Kashmir aligns with the Central Government’s broader development push for the Union Territory. Under the Prime Minister’s Industrial Development Scheme, J&K is being positioned as an emerging investment hub with a clear focus on job creation and transparent industrial processes. Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing improvements in connectivity and infrastructure, which support mining and allied sectors. The successful auction is expected to boost local industry, generate employment, and contribute to the government’s vision of fast-tracking economic growth in Jammu & Kashmir,” he added.
The sale of Tender Documents will begin on November 28, 2025, with the pre-bid conference on December 12, 2025. The last date for purchase of Tender Documents is January 19, 2026, and the last date for submission of bids is January 20, 2026 via the MSTC online auction platform, the official said, adding that this initiative reflects the Government of India’s continued commitment to transparency, technology-enabled regulation, and sustainable resource utilization—advancing the vision of a self-reliant mineral sector and contributing to the broader national goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
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