Use of technology

To keep hawks' eyes on the mining mafia, Jammu and Kashmir administration is soon going to introduce QR codes on the vehicles transporting mining material to several parts across the Union Territory. To prevent smuggling of mining in Jammu and Kashmir, stern rules have been implemented by making necessary amendments in the law. As per amendments, vehicles used for transporting mining materials will now have colored QR codes installed and without them, any vehicle if is found transporting the material, action will be initiated on the spot in an ambit of law. Earlier challan was mandatory from the office of the concerned District Mining Officer for the transportation of mining material but with amendment in rules, the Officer will issue the challan in three different colors on which QR code will also be printed. Green color challan will be issued for general mining material while yellow color challan for mining material which is being transported to stone crushers. The concerned District Mining Officer for the material has to be taken to the Central and State level agencies like National Highway Authority of India, National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, Beacon, GRAF, BRO, IRCON and Airport Authority of India. However, they said that blue coloured challan will be issued only to the license holder and the transporter has also to issue the GST invoice in the name of the buyer. No license holder shall mine sand, gravel and stone from the river bed and store it at any other place without permission. For this, he will have to obtain the NOC from the Executive Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control Department. The official said that implementation of the system of challans with colored QR codes will definitely help in preventing the smuggling of mining materials. The department is also working on installing GPS based tracking systems and load sensors in registered vehicles transporting mining material in Jammu and Kashmir.