Bihar: Vijay Sinha Cracks Down on Sand Mafia, Police Under Scanner

• Bihar government launched a major crackdown on illegal sand mining, with Mining Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha declaring zero tolerance.
• 28 tractors loaded with illegal sand were seized in Patna's Digha area, incurring a ₹32 lakh penalty.
• Minister Sinha questioned police involvement, threatening strict action against station in-charges found complicit in illegal mining.
• A ₹10,000 reward will be given to informants reporting illegal sand mining, with assurances against harassment for personal use.
• The Mining Department reported ₹3,536 crore revenue in 2024-25 and plans to auction 7 new mineral blocks, with South Bihar holding the largest deposits.

Why It Matters: Bihar's sand mining crackdown impacts governance, police accountability, and public participation.