Jairam Ramesh criticizes government for delays in lithium reserve auctions in Jammu and Kashmir

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has criticized the Central government for delaying the auction of lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir. The auctions, initially announced in February 2023, have faced setbacks due to insufficient exploration data and a lack of bids. The first auction in November 2023 failed to attract the required three bids, leading to its cancellation. A second auction was planned for March 2024, but by July, no bids had been received, prompting further exploration by the Geological Survey of India. The government had previously announced the discovery of 5.9 million tonnes of lithium reserves, crucial for electric vehicle batteries. The Ministry of Mines had aimed to start auctions by December 2023, but ongoing exploration has delayed the process.