J&K Govt Makes GPS, RFID Mandatory for Mineral Transport, Jan 26 Set as Deadline

JAMMU, Dec 18: In a major step to curb illegal mining, the Jammu and Kashmir government has amended rules governing the concession, storage and transportation of minor minerals, making GPS-enabled vehicles, RFID registration and a valid e-Challan mandatory for mineral transportation across the Union Territory.

The Mining Department has fixed January 26 as the deadline for ensuring compliance with GPS, RFID and e-Challan norms for all mineral transport vehicles. The amendments have been notified by Mining Department Additional Chief Secretary Anil Kumar Singh under the Jammu and Kashmir Minor Mineral Concession, Storage, Transportation of Minerals and Prevention of Illegal Mining Rules, 2016, in exercise of powers under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.

As per the revised Rule 71, no mineral concessionaire—including mining lessees, licensees, permit holders, crusher unit holders and brick kiln operators—shall transport minerals such as RBM, nallah muck, stone, boulders, sand, clay, crushed bajri and bricks without GPS-enabled vehicles registered with the department and carrying a unique RFID number.

The notification also mandates a valid e-Challan in Form ‘A’, bearing a QR code or watermark generated through the department’s designated e-Challan web portal, for all mineral transportation. In addition, all vehicles and machinery involved in extraction and transport must be registered with the department and equipped with functional GPS tracking systems.

Further, a GST-compliant invoice issued by the lessee, licensee, permit holder or crusher unit holder to the buyer or consignee has been made compulsory for transportation of raw or processed minor minerals.

Officials said a pilot run of GPS-enabled mineral-carrying vehicles has been successfully conducted in Samba district, and the department plans to extend GPS, RFID and e-Challan compliance across the Union Territory by January 26, 2026, after a comprehensive awareness and enforcement drive.

To strengthen enforcement, Quick Response Teams (QRTs) are being established at the district level, equipped with modern gadgets and logistics. Point-of-Sale machines are also being provided to enforcement agencies for on-the-spot digital challaning and compounding of violations.

An Integrated Mining Surveillance System (IMSS), developed in collaboration with BISAG-N, has been deployed to integrate GPS tracking, RFID, e-Challan data, weighbridge inputs and public grievance redressal on a real-time digital dashboard. Officials said verification of 114 system-generated alerts confirmed 14 cases of illegal mining, leading to penalties of Rs 90 lakh.

For 2025–26, the Mining Department has set a revenue target of Rs 300 crore, including Rs 200 crore from minor minerals and Rs 100 crore from allied activities. Revenue from major minerals is expected from 2026–27 following completion of the limestone auction process, officials added. (Agencies)