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| Neelam: Precious wealth of state deliberately kept behind the curtains | | Adequate exploitation can alone put derailed economy of state on track | | Jammu | Feb 24
One of the precious stones “Neelam” which is rarely found in the world but abundantly available in our state has been deliberately kept on the stage of under exploitation by the successive state governments led by Kashmiri leaders as Kishtwar is a part of Jammu Region. It is believed that extraction and sale of this precious stone in world market could alone have the potential to put the derailed economy of state on the track. But, smugglers are ruling the roost in present dispensation and making the most of the opportunity as state government has maintained a criminal silence over the matter. .
According to reports, Padder, Dachan, and Wadhwan areas in Kishtwar are blessed with enormous mines of such precious stones which include “Neelam”. Prior to the year 1978 extraction process was smoothly going on in the area and the state government was getting adequate monetary dues out of it. But, after 1978 the process of extraction was put on hold due to various unreasonable grounds. According to sources, Kashmir based state leadership was not interested for the adequate utilization of this wealth in the area falling under Jammu division.
From the past 28 years, this unexploited wealth has been kept behind the curtains with the help of non-initiation of tender process for extraction. State government is deliberately putting the entire process in this regard in cold storage. Sources divulged that smugglers are hand in glove with some of the influential political personalities and it is believed that handsome part was being received by these persons, sources added.
It is to be mentioned that lack of funds accompanied by inclement weather was stated as the main reasons behind the stoppage of extraction. According to sources, these areas are located in the hilly terrains and work is possible only for the 4-5 months in a year as the area remains snow clad for the maximum period and militancy activity is also on the peak at this place.
The issue was vociferously taken up in the recently concluded legislative assembly also and government has assured to take up the extraction process very soon. MLA Sajjad Kichloo has alleged that state government has been deliberately put the process on hold. He further said that these mines could alone put the derailed economy of state on the track. If paid proper attention, it could prove out to be a great boon for the dwindling state economy.
According to reports, on December last year, a small crystal of “Neelam” was sold at the rate of 3, 60,000 Pounds during an auction in Britain. It proves the worth of this undisclosed wealth of precious stones abundantly present in the states. Meanwhile, Senior Police officials of the area have denied the possibility of smuggling in the area.
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