Patna: Bihar has moved closer to establishing a dedicated mining police system to curb illegal mining, transportation and storage of sand and other minor minerals, with the Department of Mines and Geology finalising the framework for recruiting mining constables.
The proposal is now being finalised and will be sent to the State Cabinet for approval after receiving the minister’s consent, according to sources.
Mining Constables To Strengthen Enforcement
The proposed mining constables will work alongside officials of the Mines and Geology Department to monitor illegal activities and assist in enforcement operations.
Their deployment will not be restricted to sand mining sites, or ghats. They will also be assigned to areas where other minor minerals are mined, transported or stored.
The framework includes provisions for determining the number of mining constables required in each district, supervisory officers and other logistical arrangements, sources said.
Fresh Plan After Earlier Proposal
The department has been considering a dedicated mining police system for several years amid complaints of illegal sand mining and transportation across the state.
An earlier proposal to establish such a force was prepared around two years ago but could not move forward due to unavoidable circumstances. The department has now prepared a fresh recruitment plan based on its previous experience.
Once the Cabinet approves the proposal, the department will begin the process of creating posts, recruitment and subsequent deployment of mining constables.
Focus On Revenue Losses
The department expects the dedicated system to improve ground-level surveillance and speed up enforcement against the illegal mineral trade.
Officials also expect the mining police to reduce the enforcement burden on departmental staff and help prevent revenue losses caused by illegal mining and unauthorised transportation and storage of minerals.
The proposed system will cover mining and mineral-transportation areas across districts, with mining constables working under the supervision of designated departmental officers.
