Patna : , Nov 20, 2008 – The Mines and Geology Department of Bihar has assigned responsibility for issuing tenders for sand mining operations in eight of its districts.Harjot Kaur Banhara was the Principal Secretary for the Mines and Geology Ministry and Surendra Prasad Sinha was responsible.
Sinha and four others were ousted from their posts by the Economic Offence Wing in July after they were found guilty of receiving disproportionate amounts.
EOW recommended that Sinha be suspended.
Sinha was serving as the Mining Development Officer in Patna, and Sanjay Kul Executive Director.Pramod Kumar (Rajesh Kumar) and Mukesh Kumar were also transferred to Patna headquarters.
Five days ago, the Bihar State Mining Corporation issued a tender to sand mining operations in eight districts.
Sinha, an administrative officer at BSMC signed the tender.
Illegal sand mining has become rampant in Bihar, with many police officers and administrative officials working hand in glove to sand mafias.
The unit recommended that the department suspend two SP rank officers and four SDPOs from Patna’s EOW police station.
One MVI was also suggested by the unit.Five miners were not included in the recommendation.
Janak Ram (Mining and Geology Minister) stated that the appointment of officers was made from the Office of the Principal Secretary.It is not something I can comment on.
IANS telephone calls were not answered by Principal Secretary Banhara when Banhara was contacted.
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