Srinagar, Sep 29 (KNO): Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Tuesday informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that cement plants using Pet Coke as feedstock will install advanced pollution-control systems.
He also outlined measures to address waterlogging in Kathua, Environmental Clearance requirements for minor mineral extraction and relief and restoration in flood-hit Poonch and Rajouri.
Replying to a Calling Attention Notice by MLA Justice (Retd) Husnain Masoodi, the Deputy Chief Minister Choudhary, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the proposed pollution-control systems include Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems with over 90 percent sulphur removal efficiency, alkaline scrubbers and Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs).
He said the measures are aimed at curbing emissions and ensuring compliance with environmental norms. Masoodi had raised the issue of continued Pet Coke use by cement factories in the Khrew-Khanmoh area and the alleged pollution threat to human and animal life.
Choudhary, who also holds the Industries & Commerce portfolio, said the department has a facilitative role, while monitoring and enforcement of pollution-control norms fall under the statutory mandate of the J&K Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC).
He said registration of eligible industrial units/MSMEs is accorded through the concerned District Industries Centres, subject to fulfilment of prescribed formalities, including obtaining consent to establish and operate from the JKPCC.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the use of Pet Coke as feedstock is governed by the Jammu and Kashmir Pet Coke Furnace Oil Policy. Cement plants using Pet Coke are required to comply with specified safeguards, including authorisation under the Hazardous Waste (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, as the sulphur content in Pet Coke is above five percent.
He said the units have been directed not to store Pet Coke beyond three months’ consumption and to procure it only from registered dealers.
On waterlogging along Jail Road in Kathua, Choudhary said the Public Works (R&B) Department will lead coordinated efforts involving the Revenue, Home and Housing & Urban Development departments and the district administration.
Replying to a Calling Attention Notice moved by MLA Dr Bharat Bhushan, he said the issue involves land records, jail premises, town drainage and housing and therefore requires coordinated intervention. “As per field reports and local enquiry, the nallah causing the waterlogging presently lies within the boundary wall of District Jail, Kathua, constructed around 25 years ago, while available records do not show it as registered with the Revenue Department,” he said.
He said the Revenue Department will verify the relevant records and undertake joint demarcation of the nallah, while the Home Department and jail authorities will examine the findings for removal of any obstruction or identification of a suitable alternative alignment without compromising jail security.
The Housing & Urban Development Department and Municipal Council, Kathua, will ensure that the drain and outfall are properly integrated with the town drainage system and undertake necessary desilting and sanitation measures.
“The Home Department/Jail authorities will be consulted on the findings to facilitate removal of any obstruction in the nallah or identification of a suitable alternative alignment, without compromising jail security. The Housing & Urban Development Department and Municipal Council, Kathua, will ensure that the drain and outfall are properly integrated with the town drainage system and undertake necessary desilting and sanitation measures within their jurisdiction. The District Administration, Kathua, will convene and oversee a joint site inspection involving all concerned departments and facilitate timely decisions and resolution of any inter-departmental issues,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Choudhary further said the PWD (R&B) Department will focus on protecting the road and roadside drainage infrastructure and take further necessary action once the alignment of the nallah is settled.
“As an interim measure, the existing drains along Jail Road will be desilted and cleaned, while stagnant water will be diverted or pumped out wherever required. The Municipal Council and Health authorities will also be asked to undertake necessary sanitation and anti-larval measures in Ward No. 2 to safeguard public health,” he added.
On Environmental Clearance for minor mineral extraction, Choudhary said the exemption earlier available for manual customary extraction of sand, silt and clay by local Hanjis, Khanias, Muleteers and others stands withdrawn in line with Supreme Court directions.
Replying to a Calling Attention Notice moved by MLA Sheikh Ahsan Pardesi, he said S.O. 119 of 2026 dated April 22, 2026, omitted the provisions contained in S.O. 599 of 2022 dated November 15, 2022, which had earlier provided the exemption.
He said extraction of minor minerals has to be undertaken strictly in accordance with the statutory and regulatory framework presently in force, including obtaining Environmental Clearance wherever applicable. Stone quarrying also requires Environmental Clearance under the applicable provisions, he added.
On flood relief and restoration in Poonch and Rajouri, Choudhary, replying on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who holds the Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction portfolio, said adequate measures have been undertaken in the two districts affected by recent flash floods and landslides.
He said efforts are focused on restoration of road connectivity and essential services, preparation of an action plan for permanent restoration of damaged infrastructure and disbursement of approved relief among affected families.
In Poonch, rupees 400 lakh was approved, of which rupees 216.379 lakh was made available under SDRF and disbursed to affected families. In addition, rupees 137 lakh received under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund has been fully utilised and disbursed.
In Rajouri, rupees 218.14 lakh has been disbursed under SDRF as per prescribed norms, while rupees 281 lakh received under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is being provided to 377 affected beneficiaries.
For permanent restoration, DPRs worth rupees 21,403.92 lakh have been prepared in Poonch, covering education, power distribution, roads and bridges, water supply and khuls.
In Rajouri, DPRs worth rupees 46,022.57 lakh have been prepared for works under the Public Works Department, Jal Shakti Department and sub-transmission infrastructure.
In Poonch, the flash floods and landslides claimed 14 lives, while eight persons remain missing and two were injured. Besides, 379 houses, around 200 livestock and 44 poultry birds were affected, while 217.7 hectares of agricultural land and two hectares of horticultural land were damaged.
In Rajouri, four persons lost their lives, while 432 houses were affected and 48 livestock were lost. On restoration of connectivity and essential infrastructure, the government said 388 roads, 55 bridges, 72 water supply schemes and 29 power distribution transformer stations/transformers were damaged in Poonch. All roads and 11 bridges have been temporarily restored, while other essential infrastructure has also been restored on a temporary basis.
In Rajouri, 562 roads/bridges, 5,283 poles, 27 distribution transformers, 228 water supply schemes, 112 irrigation and flood-control schemes, 23 schools, eight health infrastructure units, 1.9 hectares of horticultural land and 517 hectares of agricultural land were affected or damaged. Temporary restoration of the affected infrastructure was completed within one month of the calamity.
The government said the existing institutional mechanism involving concerned line departments and district administrations is in place for coordinated assessment, restoration and rehabilitation of affected infrastructure and essential services.
The House was further informed that the matter has been taken up with the Ministry of Home Affairs for deputation of an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) for on-the-spot assessment of the situation arising from flash floods, floods, cloudbursts and landslides during the 2026 monsoon in Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)