Ban on sand mining hits construction of toilets under SBM in W Champaran

Speed Post News Network

Bagaha : Ban on sand mining has hit private as well as government works hit in West Champaran  district. The people are unable to construct even toilet under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) at their homes. The works awarded  to contractors by the government are also not being executed for want of sand in the district.

The Mines and Geology Department, Government of Bihar, a few weeks back cancelled lease of sand ghats given to the lessees for five years in the district due to irregularities committed by them. Even farmers, whose land became barren due to accumulation of silt during recent flood, are unable to remove silt from their agriculture field due to hurdles created by police.

One Hirdyalal Gupta of village Baluhi Matiyaria in Khaira  panchayat under Bhitaha block in West Champaran district was removing silt from his land using a tractor-trailer on September 14, 2017, but Bhitaha police seized the vehicle. When contacted, Bagaha SP Arbind Kumar Gupta said that sand mining and its transportation is banned in the district and police are only following the direction. But, President of Bhartiya Tharu Welfare Federation Dipnrain Prasad alleged that police were harassing the flood hit farmers.