State Taxes Deptt, Mining Deptt jointly organise Azadi ka Amrit Mohatsav celebrations under ‘Mere Matti Mera Desh’

As a part of celebrations of “Azadi ka Amrit Mohatsav” under the theme “Mere Matti Mera Desh” Department of Mining as a part of its programs w.e.f. 01-08-2023 to 15-08-2023 in collaboration with State Taxes Department under the guidance of Dr. Rashmi Singh, IAS, Administrative Secretary Mining, J&K organized an awareness cum sensitization programme on 03-08-2023 at Doodhganga Nallah regarding conservation and development of mineral, systematic and scientific mining and impact of illegal and haphazard mining on the overall environment. Re-grassing activity as a part of soil restoration was also kick started by the Administrative Secretary Mining besides field check of the mining blocks

Commissioner State Taxes/Administrative Secretary, Mining, J&K was accompanied by Additional Commissioner State Taxes Kashmir, Shakeel Maqbool (ICAS), Deputy Commissioner Enforcement (Central) Kashmir, Parvaiz Ahmad Raina, DC Appeals I&II, DC Recovery & IT, Sh. Nisar Ahmad, Joint Director Geology and Mining, Kashmir, SDM Chadoora, District Mineral Officer, Budgam, besides State Taxes officers and other officials of both departments.

This joint initiative aimed to raise awareness about scientific and systemic practices of mining with proper safeguards for environmental conservation and by coming together, both departments demonstrated their commitment for fostering sustainable development with scientific approach.

At Doodhganga, Administrative Secretary Mining/Commissioner, State Taxes J&K interacted with the stakeholders, offered patient hearing to their issues and assured meaningful intervention in due course of time.
The activity around the mining blocks at Doodhganga Nallah includes restoration with back filling of mining pits, re-grassing of identified patches mandatory as per the approved Mining plan, Environmental Clearance Sand Mining Monitoring and Enforcement guidelines and terms and conditions of the Mining Lease Deed besides Hon’ble NGT orders. The campaign seeks to engage volunteers, local community, panchayats, students besides other stakeholders in fostering a sense of responsibility and concern towards their natural resources.

The collaboration between the two departments also aims to address critical challenges like illegal mining besides, possible evasion of GST revenue as a consequence, while nurturing a culture of synergy and shared responsibility towards sustainable development. With collaborative efforts, both departments aim to streamline processes, share knowledge and optimize utilisation of human resources to ensure efficient working on ground for overall sustainable growth and socio-economic development Commissioner, State Taxes/Administrative secretary, Mining Department emphasize that building synergy between our departments would lead to not only improving revenue generation but also in enhancing environmental consciousness and social responsibleness will enable us to create a more profound impact so far as environmental conservation and restoration and improving tax revenues is concerned,”

Later, Commissioner State Taxes accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Sh. Akshay Labroo (IAS), stakeholders, students and locals organised a cleanliness drive at Nilnag where department installed dustbins for proper disposal and segregation of waste. The dustbins were procured from contribution by officials of State Taxes Department. The Deputy Commissioner Budgam, Sh. Akshay Labroo, IAS joined on the occasion. He directed concerned SDM to follow in letter and spirit the essence of the initiative and ensure every support to the department.

Speaking on the occasion, DC Budgam said that, “The cleanliness drive is anticipated to have a positive impact on the natural beauty of the area and enhance the overall well-being of the local community and visitors.” The DC emphasized the importance of such initiatives in creating a sustainable and eco-friendly environment for future generations. Sh. Shakeel Maqbool, Additional Commissioner, State Taxes Kashmir and Sh. Parvaiz Ahmad Raina, Deputy Commissioner, State Taxes Enforcement Kashmir committed that they will follow up initiative as a part of social responsibility on an ongoing basis specially as they hailed from the same district.

Dr. Rashmi Singh, IAS, Commissioner, State Taxes/Administrative secretary, Mining Department along with other Deputy Commissioners and officers, while addressing the school children, locals and stakeholders encouraged them to emerge as ambassadors for green and clean Nilnag and contribute their best towards promoting the theme of MERE MATTI, MERA DESH.