Union Minister of Coal & Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, today launched the first-ever auction of limestone mineral blocks in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
The launch event and roadshow, held in Jammu, were attended by Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Surinder Kumar Choudhary.
This initiative advances the mining reforms introduced under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR Act), 2015, placing Jammu & Kashmir among the States and Union Territories that have adopted a transparent, digital, auction-based system for mineral resource allocation.
A total of seven limestone blocks located across Anantnag, Rajouri, and Poonch districts have been offered for auction. Classified under G3 and G4 categories of the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC), these blocks span nearly 314 hectares and are expected to attract strong interest from the cement, construction, and allied industries.
The auction—conducted under subsections (4) and (5) of Section 11 of the MMDR Act—marks Jammu & Kashmir’s entry into the national competitive bidding framework for mineral resources, opening new avenues for industrial investment and economic expansion.
The initiative is closely aligned with the Central Government’s broader development agenda for J&K.
Under the Prime Minister’s Industrial Development Scheme, the UT is emerging as a promising investment destination, with improvements in connectivity, infrastructure, and governance supporting mining and related sectors. The successful auction of limestone blocks is expected to boost local industries, accelerate job creation, and strengthen the region’s economic growth trajectory.
Speaking at the launch, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy described the auction as a transformative milestone, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to ensuring that mineral development leads to industrial growth, employment opportunities, and long-term socio-economic gains for local communities.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the initiative, stating that it will enhance investor confidence, diversify Jammu & Kashmir’s industrial ecosystem, and open new avenues for youth employment and entrepreneurship. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary praised the collaborative efforts of the Centre and the UT Government in advancing this reform.
During the roadshow, MECL presented comprehensive technical and geological insights on the limestone blocks, SBI Capital Markets outlined the transactional framework, and MSTC demonstrated the digital e-auction process to facilitate informed participation by prospective bidders.
The sale of Tender Documents will commence on November 28, 2025, followed by a pre-bid conference on December 12, 2025. The last date for purchasing Tender Documents is January 19, 2026, and the final date for bid submission is January 20, 2026, via the MSTC online auction platform.(KINS)
