The Union Government has proposed changes to the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act of 1957, aiming to include Jammu and Kashmir under its provisions.
The draft bill suggests removing the phrase “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir,” effectively extending the law to the region, which was previously excluded. This amendment is part of the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024.
As part of the process, the Union Ministry of Coal has invited feedback from states, Union Territories, and the public on the proposed changes. Following this, Jammu and Kashmir’s Department of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs has asked the state’s Mining Department to submit its comments directly to the Union Coal Ministry.
Jammu and Kashmir is believed to have coal reserves estimated at 9.5 million tonnes. The primary reserves are located in areas such as Kalakote, Jangalgali, Metka, and Ladha, among others. The Kalakote coal mines alone are thought to contain around 5.4 million tonnes of usable coal, with a depth of up to 300 meters, according to the Geological Survey of India.
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