Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 13
The government has authorised officers of the Geology and Mining Department to file complaints before designated Special Courts in cases involving illegal mining and other violations of mining rules.
The authorisation was issued through a Mining Department notification dated October 12 under Rule 83 of the Jammu and Kashmir Minor Mineral Concession, Storage, Transportation and Prevention of Illegal Mining Rules, 2016.
The notification empowers the Director of Geology and Mining to file complaints across the Union Territory, including in districts where the District Mineral Officer is below the rank of Assistant Mineral Officer.
Joint Directors can exercise the powers within their respective divisions, while Deputy Directors are authorised to act within their jurisdictions.
Departmental officers posted in districts who hold the rank of Assistant Mineral Officer or above can also file complaints within their respective districts.
The notification further authorises any officer of at least Assistant Mineral Officer rank who detects an illegal activity or violation during an inspection in any district to file a complaint before the competent Special Court with jurisdiction over the offence.
The complaints will be filed before the Special Courts designated under government notification SO 302 of 2025, dated November 27, 2025.
The order establishes a wider set of departmental officers who can initiate court proceedings over alleged violations of mining rules.
