New Delhi: The Indian government is set to unveil a list of critical minerals in the country to ensure reduced import dependencies, enhance supply chain resilience, and support the country’s net zero objectives.
A first of its kind data, the critical mineral list will be released by Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday, official sources said.
This list is designed to identify and prioritise minerals that are essential for various industrial sectors such as high-tech electronics, telecommunications, transport and defence.
It will serve as a guiding framework for policy formulation, strategic planning and investment decisions in the mining sector.
Sources also said that the initiative is aligned with a larger vision of achieving ‘Net Zero’ target for India through the government’s commitment to create a robust and resilient mineral sector.
India has recently become the newest partner in the coveted Mineral Security Partnership (MSP) to bolster critical mineral supply chains. The initiative is all the more significant as India aims to source as many critical minerals as it can considering the fluid geopolitical situation, owing to the Russia-Ukraine war, in case their availability becomes difficult.
India is keen on buying reserves abroad and also mining for critical minerals domestically, sources aware of the development said.
An Al-Badr terrorist was killed in an encounter between terrorists and security forces at Hoowra village in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Tuesday.
Police said acting on a specific input regarding the presence of a terrorist in village Hawoora area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by J&K Police, Army and CRPF.
“During the search operation, as the joint search party approached towards the suspected spot, the hiding terrorist fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, in which one J&K police personnel got injured who was subsequently shifted to hospital for treatment,” police said.
“The hiding terrorist was also given an opportunity to surrender however he kept on firing on the joint forces. The fire was effectively retaliated, leading to an encounter.”
Police said in the ensuing encounter, a local terrorist linked with proscribed terrorist outfit Al-Badr was killed and his body was retrieved from the site of encounter.
He has been identified as Adil Majeed Lone, resident of Akbarabad Hawoora, Kulgam.
Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including one Pistol with live ammunition and a grenade were recovered from the site of encounter.
(IANS)
