Jammu Kashmir: Parlanka Gypsum Mine Generates Rs 582.74 Lakh in 2 Years

SRINAGAR:The Jammu and Kashmir government has clarified that gypsum extraction at the Parlanka mine in Harog-Sumar area of Ramban district is not being undertaken directly by the Geology and Mining Department but by Jammu and Kashmir Minerals Limited (JKML), a state-owned corporation.

Responding to a question raised by MLA Sajad Shaheen in the legislative assembly, the government stated that the Parlanka-Thalwa area was reserved in favour of JKML through SRO-162 of 2002, and a mining lease was granted and later renewed for gypsum extraction and transportation.

As per the environmental clearance, the approved production capacity of the Parlanka gypsum mine stands at 1,57,263 metric tonnes per annum. The government said the operation remains with JKML, which is responsible for extraction and sale, generating a revenue of Rs 582.74 lakh up to September 2025 from the mine.

On the issue of land acquisition and compensation, the government informed the assembly that JKML had disbursed Rs 4.56 crore to the Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, for acquiring 29 kanals and 15 marlas of land at Harog village. However, the compensation has not yet reached the landowners due to pending legal and administrative processes.

According to the government, one of the acquisition cases — concerning land under Khasra No. 603/530 — is sub judice before the court, preventing disbursal of compensation. Another case involving Khasra No. 527, covering 18 kanals and 9 marlas, is presently under the final stages of award processing. The notification under Section 19(1) of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 has already been issued, and payments will be released after the completion of all formalities.

The government also disclosed that Rs 164.11 lakh has been collected under the District Mineral Fund Trust (DMFT) for Ramban district over the last two years, of which Rs 18 lakh has been utilised so far. The utilised funds were spent on the construction of a laboratory block, toilet complex, and ground protection wall, with the works executed through the Public Works (R&B) Department.

Responding to Sajad Shaheen’s concern about equitable development in mining-affected areas like Banihal, the government said that the use of DMFT funds is being guided by the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) framework, which prioritises welfare and infrastructure in mining-affected regions across all tehsils of Ramban district.

The Minister in charge of the Mining Department said that the government remains committed to ensuring transparent utilization of mineral revenues and early resolution of land compensation cases linked to the Parlanka gypsum mine.