Patna: With a view to ensuring the timely completion of projects relating to different work departments in the state, Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Mines and Geology Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha on Wednesday unequivocally asserted that the department will give sand mining lease to the work departments directly if they desire so.
Stating that sand mining will be prohibited after June 15, Sinha said that department makes sure that proper and adequate storage of sand is made in the state. Besides, the department also issues license for storage of sand in order to ensure that work on projects should not get hampered.
“In order to ensure that development work relating to different work departments should not get hampered due to shortage of sand in the state, the mines department has written to all the departments concerned for extending its all possible help to them to ensure that projects are completed on time,” Sinha told reporters here.
Sinha, who was accompanied by Department’s Director Vinod Duhan, said that his department can give sand mining lease directly to the work departments if they have requirements for sand for their projects.
The department has written letter to different work departments that included Building Construction, Panchayati Raj, Road Construction, Rural Works, Water Resources, Rural Development, Urban Development and Housing, Planning Industries, PHED etc., he added.
“Now, work departments can not pass their buck on mines and geology department as Rule 78 of Bihar Mining Rules 2019 ensures unhindered supply of sand for projects,” the minister said while making it clear that a section of media had reported that shortage of sand could hamper the various development projects.
There are altogether 457 yellow sand ghats of which 161 are functional, Sinha said adding that security deposits of 37 lessees, who have surrendered sand ghats, will be seized and black listed too.
Stating that the department has raked in Rs 3569 crore revenue which is more than the set target in 2024-25, the Dy CM said that it is the result of efficient management, regular monitoring and hard work of department’s officials under the able leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
The department has been successful in checking illegal mining following the stringent provisions that were brought under Mines Rules in October 2024, he said adding that the complaints of illegal sand mining and overloaded trucks have reduced significantly.
In order to further boost its revenue, the department is exploring the possibilities in the field of stone mining, he added.
