SRINAGAR : Finally long awaited web portal for sale of minor materials in UT for citizens on government approved rates was launched on Wednesday by Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta.
For purchase of minor minerals like Bajri, sand, stone citizens can log into http://geologymining.jk.gov.in and there are around 200 registered miners on web portal for sale of minor mineral to buyers.
Stressing for ensuring web portal (e-market) remained hassle free for easy accessibility to customers, Dr Mehta enjoined upon officers of Geology & Mining Department to ensure that mining materials -sand, bajri, boulders, dust and soil are readily available to customers on government approved rates.
Further, seeking daily report on sale of minor minerals through web portal from all District Commissioners, the Chief Secretary directed them to monitor the process and see that there is no overcharging or scarcity of such materials in the market.
He also asked for carrying out third party checking of rates and availability of these materials in the market for gauging the ground reality.
Both the vendors and customers have to register on the portal. The customers can then directly order the material like sand, bajri, nallah muck, stones, crushed bajri, etc from the portal. They can do cost comparison besides the items are available at approved rates.
The payment can be made securely online through payment gateway. The collection of duties and taxes would also be done online without the scope for evasion of same. An e-challan would thereafter be generated after authentication by the concerned DMO and sent both to vendor and customer. The end to end features like placing of order, follow-up and tracking can be done by the end user, as was given out on this occasion.
The Department also intends to integrate the system with weigh bridges at sites for accuracy and install PTZ cameras/Drone surveillance at vulnerable illegal mining points across all the districts to end menace of uncontrolled illegal mining which is incurring loss of around Rs. 20 to 30 lakh on daily basis to government exchequer.