In a decisive move to curb unlawful extraction of resources, the newly appointed director of the Mines and Geology department in Patna, Manesh Kumar Meena, has issued strict directives to officials. On Tuesday, Meena ordered the rigorous enforcement of existing regulations to establish effective control over illegal mining, transportation, and unauthorised storage of minerals.
New Director's Priorities: Law, Revenue, and Transparency
After assuming charge following a major reshuffle of IAS officers by the state government, Meena outlined his department's core priorities. He emphasised that scientific mining and exploitation of resources, with the overarching goal of increasing revenue collection, are paramount. This, he stated, must be coupled with the strict enforcement of prevailing laws and rules.
Meena held a meeting with senior officials immediately after taking charge, seeking details on ongoing activities and the status of various schemes. He stressed the importance of maintaining the current momentum in revenue collection and fostering a team spirit among staff. The director advocated for a work culture bound by time-bound decision-making, accountability, and transparency.
Strengthening Vigilance with Tech and Public Help
To bolster the crackdown, Meena instructed officials to actively coordinate with district administrations and other relevant agencies. He highlighted the need to strengthen the vigilance mechanism and leverage Information Technology (IT) for better monitoring, alongside continued physical ground checks.
In a significant step to involve the public, the department has announced a reward of Rs 10,000 for private citizens. This incentive is for confidential information on illegal mining, overloaded transportation, and unauthorised storage that leads to successful action against culprits and the seizure of vehicles or materials.
Building on Positive Revenue Trends
The crackdown comes against a backdrop of positive financial performance. During a recent ministerial-level review, it was revealed that the department's revenue collection for the April-November period of the current financial year had already surpassed its target.
Looking ahead, Meena indicated that new initiatives are on the anvil. Steps will soon be taken to conduct mining operations under the principles of good governance. He plans to make the process more transparent by implementing a proper technological support system.
