Why did the Bihar government come on the back foot after Jharkhand’s objection on sand mining, will have to return the money too

The Bihar government has come on the back foot after Jharkhand’s objection to the extraction of sand from Gerua Ghat in Bhagalpur district of Bihar. After the report of the officials of both the states, the state level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIA) has directed the Mining and Geology Department not to mine sand in 12 hectares in Jharkhand area on the basis of the revised DSR (District Survey Report). After the report of SEIA, the settlement holder has asked for the refund of the deposited amount. Due to which there is a stir in the department. The headquarters is worried about the loss of revenue, as well as looking for the reasons for the irregularities in making the DSR.

According to the information, after SIA’s objection, the mining and geology department has agreed to make amendments in blocks one to three of Gerua Unit No. 1. Sand mining was to be done in 34.03 hectares from this unit. The settlement for which was also done. But the situation changed after 12 hectares of sand area was found to be in Jharkhand. Settlement holder Rajesh Kumar Sharma said that after the demarcation dispute, the measurement was done by the CO of Sanhaula. After which it became clear that sand mining is to be done only in 22.3 hectares in Bihar’s part.

Earlier, 50 percent of the total settlement amount has been deposited. Two PDS cheques were also given. Now an application has been made to the District Mining Officer to demand the return of the cheque and to adjust the reduced settlement amount. In this regard, Assistant Director cum DMO Keshav Kumar Paswan said that the instructions of SIA have come. The settlement holder has been given permission to mine sand only in 22.1 hectares. The amount will be deposited accordingly.

The settlement was cancelled due to the Gangetic dolphin area

Meanwhile, in another decision, SIA has ordered not to extract sand from Gerua Unit-3 of Sanhaula. It has also asked to cancel the settlement. Actually, this area has come under the eco-sensitive zone under the Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary. After the environmental report, SIA has banned digging in the marked 13 hectares due to the unit being in the sanctuary area. Due to this, Bhagalpur administration suffered a revenue loss of 64.35 lakhs.