Patna: The Bihar government will take action against land mafia accused of encroaching on government land across all 264 urban local bodies in the state, the deputy chief minister and urban development and housing minister, Vijay Kumar Sinha, has said.
Speaking at a review meeting of schemes under the Swachh Bharat Mission on Wednesday, Sinha said complaints had been received about organised groups illegally occupying public land in several municipal corporations and other urban bodies. He said those responsible would be identified and action taken against them.
Sinha also announced plans to curb the dominance of large outsourcing companies involved in sanitation work under the Swachh Bharat Mission. He said smaller companies, non-profit organisations and NGOs would be encouraged to participate in tenders issued by urban local bodies.
According to the minister, large outsourcing firms often exploit sanitation workers and fail to pay them adequately. Bringing in smaller agencies, he said, would promote healthy competition, improve working conditions and lead to better sanitation outcomes.
Urban bodies have been asked to submit details of all outsourcing companies currently engaged in sanitation work. Sinha said the changes were also expected to create new employment opportunities under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
As part of efforts to strengthen Bihar’s sanitation system, the government will study sanitation models from BJP-ruled states including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Officials have been directed to assess practices in these states and adopt those considered suitable for Bihar.
The review meeting was attended by the principal secretary of the urban development and housing department, Vinay Kumar, additional secretary Vijay Prakash Meena, Manoj Kumar and other senior officials.
