Bihar government expects to earn Rs 5,000 crore from auction of mineral blocks

The Bihar government expects to collect around Rs 50 billion (about $5 billion) from the auction of mineral blocks in Rohtas, Gaya and Jamui, a senior official said on Wednesday.

He said that recently blocks of glauconite in Rohtas and rocks containing chromite (Cr), nickel (Ni) and platinum (PGE) were auctioned in Gaya.

“Three more mineral blocks in Rohtas and Jamui will be auctioned by the state government in October. The government is expected to earn Rs 5,000 crore from the auction of these blocks, including the blocks that were auctioned recently,” said Mihir Kumar Singh, additional chief secretary, Mines and Geology department.

In order to effectively monitor mining activities and take strict action against those found guilty of illegal practices in the sector, the department has requested the authorities concerned to grant magisterial powers to mining officials and inspectors, he said.

“If our officials are given magisterial powers, the department can work more independently and effectively in checking illegal mining activities,” Singh said.

The mining department’s proposal to set up its own ‘armed mine police’ was not accepted by the state government.

“The department is working with the state police to curb illegal mining activities. Our proposal to set up an armed mine police force was not accepted by the state government,” the ACS said.

The state has witnessed incidents of violent attacks by the sand mafia on police officers and senior officers of the department.

Similar incidents were reported from Patna, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Saran and Vaishali districts.