Huge revenue loss due to illegal mining, quarrying in Bihar: CAG

Patna,(BiharTimes): The latest Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has found gross irregularities in mining and quarrying in Bihar, which caused estimated revenue loss of Rs 442 crore in 535 cases between 2008-09 and 2010-11.

According to the report district mining officers of the State are totally ignorant of the situation and have allowed brick kiln owners to mine without No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) from State Pollution Control Board.

It further said how the concerned Government officials allowed illegal excavation and quarrying by overlooking the provisions under Bihar Minor Mineral Concession Rules.

During the test checking of registers of brick kilns in Patna, Gaya, Aurangabad, Bhagalpur, Jamui, Muzaffarpur, Rohtas, Darbhanga and Saharsa districts it has been found that most of them have remained functional without paying either royalty or submitting NOC, the CAG said.

The report also said that the contractors of the Railways and the National Building Construction Corporation did not apply for the requisite quarrying permit for excavation in Bhagalpur between October 2011 and May 2012. The CAG recommended a criminal proceeding against the contractors.