JAMMU: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Tuesday informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that 128 out of 199 brick kilns operating in Budgam district have deposited royalty with the District Mineral Officer (DMO), Budgam for the consumption of brick earth during the current financial year.
The Deputy Chief Minister said this while replying to a question raised by legislator Dr Shafi Ahmad Wani regarding brick kilns in the district.
He informed the House that the Geology and Mining Department is entrusted with monitoring the raw material procured by unit holders to ensure that extraction and transportation are carried out only from legitimate sources.
Choudhary further said that, as per records of the DMO Budgam, 107 crusher units and 44 hot mix plants are registered on the department’s web portal (geologyminingjk.gov.in), with legal quantities updated and sale or transportation permitted only through proper e-challans and e-permits.
Replying to a supplementary question raised by legislator Ali Mohammad Dar, the Deputy Chief Minister said the government will examine the recent demolition of brick kilns in Budgam district.
