Copper-nickel exploration licence in Padder to be e-auctioned; land cleared for Hajin grid station and fruit mandis at Tral, Pattan and Kulgam; daily wagers not on agenda, says Javed Rana
BuzzBytes JAMMU 13 November 2026: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet on Friday approved the Urban Asset Mapping and Monetization Policy, 2026 and the J&K Hydropower Policy, 2026, besides clearing several land allotment proposals, including those for setting up fruit mandis at Pattan, Tral and Kulgam.
Sources told BuzzBytes that the Cabinet meeting was held in Jammu under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
They said the Cabinet approved the Urban Asset Mapping and Monetization Policy, 2026, prepared by the Housing and Urban Development Department. The policy aims at systematic identification, mapping and optimal utilisation of urban assets owned by Urban Local Bodies to generate revenue for civic development.
The Cabinet also cleared the J&K Hydropower Policy-2026, which seeks to promote sustainable energy development and attract private investment for hydropower projects up to 100 MW in IPP/PPP mode.
In another decision, the Cabinet gave its nod for e-auctioning through the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, for grant of an exploration licence for copper and nickel and associated mineralisation in the Sumcham Padder block in Kishtwar district.
The Cabinet also approved the transfer of 32 kanals of Shamilat land at Nadikhai and Poshwari in the Hajin area of Bandipora district to the Power Development Department for construction of a grid station.
Sources said the Cabinet also approved allotment of land for establishment of fruit mandis at Tral, Pattan and Kulgam.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Minister Javed Ahmed Rana said land transfer and allotment proposals dominated the agenda, while the issue of regularisation of daily wagers did not figure in the discussions.
“The maximum number of proposals were related to land transfers. Some of our power projects are being taken up under the PPP model, for which land transfer issues had to be addressed,” Rana said.
He said the Cabinet also considered land transfer proposals for agricultural and fruit markets, besides land allotment for the Subsidiary Intelligence Bureau (SIB). The minister said certain promotion-related cases were also part of the agenda, along with a proposal concerning a grid station at Hajin.
Asked whether the Cabinet had discussed the long-pending demands of daily wagers, Rana clarified that the issue was not on Friday’s agenda.
“We did not discuss daily wagers today. Their issue was not part of the Cabinet agenda. Most of the items concerned land transfers, while some were related to promotions,” he said.
Responding to a question about the rehabilitation of traders affected by fires at the warehouse market and Shiv Market in Jammu, Rana said the matter had already been discussed with the Chief Minister in earlier meetings.
“We did not discuss it today, but we have held detailed meetings with the Chief Minister regarding the fires in both markets. The matter is in his notice,” he said.
Rana said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had personally visited Shiv Market and reviewed the situation in the affected areas. “The Chief Minister himself visited Shiv Market and monitored the situation. He is personally looking into the matter,” the minister added.
The minister’s remarks came amid continued questions over the future of daily wagers, who have been seeking a resolution to their long-pending demands. However, Rana did not specify when the committee examining their issues would submit its report.
