Now J&K ML, reportedly, has decided to award exploration and exploitation of sapphire mines worth millions of dollars in Paddar area of Kishtwar district to a New Delhi based M/S Minework Pvt. Ltd for entering into a joint venture with J&KML. Business community in Kishtwar has called it a move to all “plunder” of state’s resources by the JKML through non-local companies. A senior Officer of the Industries and Commerce Department is, inter-alia, reported to have said, “when JKML has to bring itself into existence for exploration of resources, why would they enter into such kind of joint venture?” The officer is reported to have further quoted the example of outside companies refusing to leave state resources adding example of NHPC which took over control of water resources and now J & K buys power from them at exorbitant rates. Other business associations like Chamber of Commerce & Industries Kashmir, Federation of Commerce & Industries Kashmir too have opposed the move and viewed it condemnable. Federation of Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has said, “It is highly condemnable that outside company has been roped in extraction of sapphire mines with huge potential while ignoring local companies.” Its former President has said, ” Land and resources are property of the residents of Jammu & Kashmir. We won’t allow plunder of our resources. We are already facing loot of our resources”. Statement of another industry body Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industries Kashmir (CCIK) reads that, “As usual an outside agency is being unduly benefitted even though local entrepreneurs are more than qualified for executing this kind of work. This fact stands established with all the concerned departments of the local government. This is deprivation of job and benefit to the local people.” It suggested the Administration to involve local enterprise in the said industry rather than handing it over to outside agencies.
