Bihar Cracks Down on Illegal Mining, Suspends Official for Lapses

In a meeting with Additional Chief Secretary, Mines, Mr. Mihir Kumar Singh, Secretary, Mines, Director, Mines, and other officials, Bihar's Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Vijay Kumar Sinha, was instructed to carry out the reform process within the department. He gave the officials instructions to be careful not to stifle people who are acting morally and not to shield or support those who are acting immorally. Following an investigation and prompt action on the officer's report, it has been decided to suspend Mr. Randhir Kumar, the Mineral Development Officer for the Lakhisarai district, for his alleged promotion of illicit mining and transportation. Munger district was under his additional supervision as well.

The illegal transportation of minor minerals and sand under Hemjapur and Safia Sarai police station under Munger district has been reported to the Mines and Geology Department. In response, the government has suspended the department's operations.

Remarkably, raids were carried out in Munger district based on classified information obtained by the department; of these, six vehicles had e-challans but were overweight, and forty vehicles did not have e-challans. On those automobiles, a fine of Rs. 1,42,00,000/-(one crore forty-two lakh rupees) was assessed. In the specified area, 40 automobiles lacked an e-challan, per the departmental report. It is claimed that the departmental official assigned to the police station and district is not conducting routine investigations and is complicit in this irregularity, which is being done in public.

The Economic Offenses Unit is to look into the FIRs filed in cases involving illicit mining and transportation, per a directive from Deputy Chief Minister Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha. If staff members in the department support this anomaly. Additionally, it has been agreed to identify them and deal with them.

According to Shri Sinha, the Dhabas where the cars were taken would also be taken into account while determining the presence of illicit transit. After obtaining clarification, the responsible Collector will take the appropriate action.

According to Mr. Sinha, the Collector has been instructed to take legal action against the sand ghats where cars discovered to be overloaded and e-challans issued were issued.