Lok Sabha Question No. 142 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Shortage of Staff in Mining and Geology Departments
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Hasnain Masoodi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 142

## ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## SHORTAGE OF STAFF IN MINING AND GEOLOGY DEPARTMENTS

*142. SHRI HASNAIN MASOODI:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  cognizant  of  the  man-power  deficiency  in  the Department of Mining and Geology in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether the Government has taken any steps to overcome the issue of man-power deficiency within the Department; (d) if so, the details thereof including the steps/initiatives taken by the Government in this regard; (e) if not, the reasons therefor; and (f) whether the Ministry has issued any circular calling for vacancies in the Department

- and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *142  REGARDING  'SHORTAGE  OF  STAFF  IN  MINING  AND  GEOLOGY DEPARTMENTS' ASKED BY SHRI HASNAIN MASOODI, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR REPLY ON 13.12.2023

(a) to (f): The recruitment of staff in the Department of Geology and Mining, Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir does not come under the purview of Ministry of Mines. However, as per the information provided by the UT of Jammu and Kashmir, there are 113 sanctioned posts in the Gazetted category in the Department. Out of these, 71 Gazetted posts are filled and 42 Gazetted posts are vacant. Of the 42 vacant Gazetted posts, 9 posts come under direct recruitment quota and have been referred to the concerned recruiting agency for selection of suitable candidates. Remaining 33 posts are  under promotion  quota which are vacant due  to non-eligibility of Departmental Officers for promotion.

The UT of Jammu and Kashmir has further informed that in Non Gazetted category there are 434 sanctioned posts, out of which 205 posts are filled and 229 posts are vacant. Of the 229 vacant Non Gazetted posts, 83 posts come under direct recruitment quota  and  have  been  referred  to  the  concerned  recruiting  agency  for  selection  of suitable candidates. 142 posts are vacant due to non-eligibility of the Departmental Officers for promotion. Further, 4 posts of Junior Surveyor could not be referred to the recruiting agency due to want of amendment in recruitment rules.

In Multi-Tasking Staff category sanction strength is 575 posts, out of which 307 are filled  and  268  are  vacant.  Out  of  vacant  posts,  9  posts  have  been  referred  to  the concerned recruiting agency for selection of suitable candidates, whereas 259 posts pertain  to  Jammu  and  Kashmir  Daily  Rated  Workers/Work  Charged  Employees (Regularisation) Rules, 1994.

The  UT  of  Jammu  and  Kashmir  has  informed  that  47  employees  of  Jammu  and Kashmir Cements Limited (JKCL) are deployed to the Department of Geology and Mining on deputation basis to cater the deficiency in manpower.

The UT of Jammu and Kashmir has informed that it has taken all steps to resolve the manpower deficiency in the Department.

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