Srinagar, July 16 -- Srinagar- The Jammu and Kashmir government has begun work on a comprehensive Minor Mining Policy-2026 aimed at curbing illegal mining, strengthening regulation and introducing a technology-driven framework for the scientific and transparent management of minor mineral resources across the Union Territory.

The proposed policy was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday. Senior officials from the Department of Geology and Mining and other stakeholder departments participated in the deliberations.

A presentation by the Centre for Innovation, Technology Assessment and Good Governance (CITaG) highlighted gaps in the existing mining regime and proposed reforms, including an end-...