GOVERNMENT STARTS ACTION PLAN AGAINST SAND MAFIAS

GOVERNMENT STARTS ACTION PLAN AGAINST SAND MAFIAS

13-DEC-ENG 8

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA---------------------------Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Mines and Geology, Vijay Kumar Sinha, stated unequivocally that illegal mining of sand, stone, soil, and other minerals will not be tolerated in Bihar at any cost. He informed that in a review meeting on mining issues held with the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police of Patna, it was decided that a request would be made to the Home Department to increase the number of police personnel in the force constituted to prevent illegal mining, so that illegal mining activities in the state can be curbed.

He warned his own officers in the Department of Mines and Geology that strict action has been ordered against officers and concerned station house officers who show laxity in taking action against illegal mining and transportation.  Instructions to this effect have been given to the concerned District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha said at a press conference held in his office on Tuesday that due to efficient management and regular monitoring, the Department of Mines and Geology has achieved a total revenue of Rs. 3569.47 crore against the target of Rs. 3500 crore set by the Finance Department for the financial year 2024-25, which is 101 percent of the target.

He said that in the current financial year, against the annual target of Rs. 3850 crore, a collection of Rs. 1530.30 crore has been made till November 2025, which is significantly higher than the target of Rs. 1155 crore set for November. Secretary and Mining Commissioner of the Department of Mines and Geology, Devesh Sehra, and Mining Director Vinod Duhal were present at the press conference.

Vijay Kumar Sinha informed that from April to November 2025, a total of 31,997 raids were conducted across the state against illegal mining and transportation. This resulted in 1696 FIRs, 420 arrests, and the seizure of 3599 vehicles. He said that in October 2024, stringent penal provisions were introduced in the rules against illegal mining, transportation, and storage, which has led to a significant reduction in the problem of illegal mining and overloading. He informed that the process of successfully auctioning the sand seized in action against illegal mining and transportation has been initiated. A strategy has been devised to further expedite this process to ensure the availability of sand at reasonable rates for construction projects.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha stated that a total of 13 officers and employees who failed to take appropriate action against illegal mining in the past year have been penalized. Additionally, departmental action is underway against a total of 21 Mineral Development Officers and Mining Inspectors.

Mining and Geology Minister Vijay Sinha said that the active participation of "mining warriors" who reported illegal mining activities and received rewards has greatly assisted in taking strict action against illegal mining and transportation. This scheme of the state government will continue. Under this scheme, a reward of five thousand rupees is being given for providing information about illegal sand transportation by tractors, and ten thousand rupees for providing information about illegal sand transportation by trucks.

On this occasion, Devesh Sehra, Secretary of the Department of Mines and Geology, said that Bihar is rapidly emerging on the country's comprehensive mineral map. Currently, the auction of three blocks of critical and strategic minerals in Bihar has been successfully conducted. A composite license has been issued for one block, and composite licenses for the other two blocks will be issued soon.