Sushil Modi seeks ban on sand mining in Bihar

Patna,(BiharTimes): Former deputy chief minister and senior state BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi on Saturday sought immediate ban on sand mining from the riverbeds in Bihar.

Talking to the media here he said the recent order of National Green Tribunal (NGT), whose implementation is mandatory on all the state governments, calls for ban on sand mines.

He said various agencies and contractors have been violating all kinds of norms and indulging in rampant smuggling of sands from the riverbeds.

Modi, who had also served as the state’s finance minister, also said that the recommendations on sand mining and settlement made by the cabinet subcommittee set up by the state government should also be strictly implemented. This, he said, would prevent both illegal and uncontrolled sand mining. The cabinet subcommittee had made its recommendations in the light of the Supreme Court order and directives on sand mining and settlement of the river ghats for it, warranting strict implementation, he added.

On February 27, 2012 the Supreme Court had ordered that the “sand ghats” should be settled with the contractors or agencies for at least five years. Besides, if the sand mining has to be done in a 'rakba (area/plot)' measuring more than 50 hectare, the clearance has to be taken from the Union environment and forest ministry. If the 'rakba' concerned is less than that, the clearance has to be taken from the environmental assessment authority.

Besides, it also ordered that the sand mining has to be done at a mandated distance from big and small bridges as well as irrigational resources of the state.

Modi, who was second most powerful man in Bihar when the SC ruling was passed, said strict adherence to orders and directives of both the NGT and Supreme Court would be helpful in preventing the destruction of riverbeds and ghats in the state.