New Delhi [India], November 30 : Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday criticised the Central government for delaying auctions of lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that companies were reluctant to bid due to insufficient exploration data.
In a post on X, Jairam Ramesh noted that on February 13, 2023, the Modi government announced--amid much fanfare--the discovery of what it claimed to be one of the world's largest lithium reserves in J&K.
"In November 2023, the first auctions were held, but the minimum requirement of three bids was not met, leading to the cancellation of the auction. A second round of auctions was announced in March 2024, but by July 2024, it was revealed that not a single bid had been received," he said.
He added that in October 2024, the Geological Survey of India was tasked with re-exploring what had been touted as one of the largest lithium reserves globally.
"The reluctance of companies to bid was straightforward: the exploration data was highly insufficient. Now, auctions are planned after at least six months, but it could take even longer. This reflects the headline-driven approach of the Modi government--a case of premature celebration!" Jairam Ramesh remarked.
In February 2023, the central government announced the discovery of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir, marking the first such find in the country.
Lithium, a non-ferrous metal, is a crucial component in electric vehicle batteries and other industries.
The Ministry of Mines stated that the Geological Survey of India (GSI), an attached office of the Ministry, conducted a G3 stage mineral exploration project in the Salal-Haimna areas of Reasi district, Jammu & Kashmir, during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 field seasons. The exploration identified an inferred resource (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium ore, and the findings were handed over to the Union Territory government of J&K.
On May 2, 2023, Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Mines, announced that auctions for the lithium reserves in Reasi would begin by December 2023.