Private firm fined Rs 80 lakh for illegal mining in Budgam in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary informed the house that a private company was fined Rs 80 lakh for unauthorised mining in Budgam district. The Budgam mineral officer had taken strict action against Messrs NKC Projects Private Limited for unauthorised mining at Shaliganaga Nalla in Lanilab Basant Wooder.

The action follows the circulation of a video on social media on March 2, exposing the illegal activity. Choudhary said that on receiving the report from the directorate of geology and mining, the DMO Budgam deputed a team to the site to verify the claims. Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the company had engaged men and machinery for the unauthorised extraction of approximately 300 metric tons of Nallah Mukh without obtaining the permits.