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| Extraction of saphire from Paddar mines under scanner | | Kichloo's brother's involvement surfaces in Gemfields joint venture with JK Minerals | | Akshay Azad
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Nov 10: Even as Jammu and Kashmir Minerals Limited (JKML) is yet to join hands with a company for extraction of saphire from Paddar mines of Kishtwar, the alleged involvement of the brother of Minister for industries, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, has come to fore in the entire process.
Sources informed Early Times that hectic lobbying was on for accepting the tenders of London-headquartered Gemfields for making joint venture with JK Minerals Corporation for extraction of saphire from Paddar mines.
MD JKML, A S Hussain said that five companies have been shortlisted for making a joint venture with JKML for exploration, exploitation of Saphire Mines of Paddar but the share of the company in exploitation and the allotment of tenders to the company would only be decided after Model Code of Conduct was lifted.
But if sources are to be believed, allotment of tenders has already been finalized in favour of Gemfield-a London based company-and whose officials are alleged to be in close liaison with Minister for Industries Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo and his brother Tanvir Ahmad Kichloo.
"On October 19, a survey team of Gemfield company accompanied by Tanvir Ahmed Kichloo visited Gulabgarh in a chopper of UT air company and later had a survey of Paddar sapphire mines", sources said, adding that one of the member of team was Tengi and the visit of team was on the instructions of Industry Minister Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo.
They said that the team officials remained with Tanvir Kichloo and an alleged deal had already been signed. "A deal in favour of Gemfield company has already been finalized and the brother of Industry Minister has played a vital role in the entire episode", sources alleged.
Sources alleged that for certain considerations, the company had been engaged for next three decades. Sources alleged that the visit of company officials to Paddar was facilitated allegedly due to the political interference. The remaining four companies, as claimed by the managing director of JK Minerals Limited, would be rejected automatically.
Hussain claimed that five companies had been shortlisted for making a joint venture for exploration, exploitation of Saphire mines but everything was yet to be decided. "The share of company, manforce engaged by company will only be decided after MCC is lifted from J&K", he said.
Pertinently, London-headquartered Gemfields, a multi-national firm specialising in colour gemstones mining and marketing, had acquired a ruby mine in Mozambique about two years ago and had already conducted one auction, which fetched it US $34 million. |
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