Srinagar, Nov 30, KNT: Senior Congress leader Jai Ram Ramesh Saturday alleged that the Central Government prematurely celebrated the bidding of lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a post on microblogging social networking site X, Jai Ram Ramesh noted that on Feb 13, 2023 the Modi Govt announced – in typically grand fashion – the discovery of what it called one of the world’s largest known lithium reserves in J&K.
He said in November 2023, first auctions were conducted. The minimum requirement of three bids was not met and the auction was cancelled.
He further noted that in March 2024, a second round of auctions was announced. “In July 2024 it was revealed this had not attracted even a single bid.”
Jai Ram Ramesh as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust further noted that in October 2024, the Geological Survey of India was directed to conduct a re-exploration of what had been proclaimed to be one of the world’s largest known lithium reserves.
“The reason why companies were reluctant to bid was simple: exploration data was very insufficient. Now auctions are planned after at least six months. It could take even longer. This is typical of the way the headline-obsessed Modi Govt functions. It is a case of premature celebration!”
Notably, in 2023, the central government announced a lithium reserve of 5.9 million metric tons in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. The government has since failed to find bidders for the reserve, and extraction plans have been halted. Industry experts say the government’s reports around the reserve were misleading and inadequate. [KNT]
