VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi, April 23: Responding to the letter written by BJP legislature party chief Babulal Marandi to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar highlighting the issue of illegal transportation of sand and stone through vessels on the bordering areas of Jharkhand (Sahibganj) and Bihar, the Katihar (Bihar) district administration has said that problems lie with the Jharkhand government if illegal mining and illegal transportation of minerals are going on.
Notably, on March 24, an overloaded cargo ship Ro-Ro vessel carrying stones-chips laden trucks from Sahibganj to Katihar met with an accident. The BJP alleged powerful mining mafias are involved in illegal mining and transportation. Babulal Marandi had shot off a letter to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to inform him about the alleged illegal activities.
On April 1, the department of disaster management of Bihar shot off a letter to the Katihar district administration to seek clarifications on six points that Babulal Marandi had raised. Allegations are that the records of people traveling in boats, ships, etc are not maintained. 14 and 16-wheeler trucks are transported from Sahibganj to Bihar through cargo ships despite the operation of such trucks is prohibited in Bihar. The ferry ghats are managed by two people of criminal character who have the patronage of the Jharkhand government. Transportation of mines and minerals is allowed without payment of royalty and GST. An exorbitant amount of Rs. 17000 is charged as ferry fares in Sahibganj and Manihari (Katihar) against Rs. 3500 as fixed by the government. Against the rule of the Bengal Ferries Act, 1885 ferrying takes place even after sunset.
On getting this letter Katihar district administration submitted its reply to the department of disaster management of Bihar a couple of days back. Talking to the Lagatar.com Katihar district collector Udayan Mishra confirmed the development.
“The accident took place in the area under our jurisdiction. So far four trucks have been fished out from the Ganga besides the dead bodies of two persons. It is true that 14 and 16-wheeler trucks carrying mines and minerals were transported through cargo from Bihar. On a number of occasions, we requested the Sahibganj district administration to ensure that such trucks are not transported on cargo. Very recently, our divisional commissioner also complained to the Sahebganj DC in this regard,” he said.
The Katihar district collector further said that it was the responsibility of the Sahibganj district administration to ensure that no consignment is allowed to be transported to Bihar without payment of royalty and GST.
“The Jharkhand government has to ensure that royalty and GST are paid because this is a matter of the financial interest of Jharkhand. If any such consignment is caught on our side, we impose a penalty and also confiscate it,” he said.
However, there is a wide level of allegations that illegality continues and the respective administrations of Sahibganj and Katihar have not learnt any lesson.
According to the terms of the settlement, vessels are to be plied only between sunrise and sunset. But the vessels are being plied at night also. Vessels are to be plied between Samda ghat (Sahibganj) and Manihari Ghat (Bihar). But vessels are being plied between Garam ghat (Sahibganj) and Khutti Ghat (Katihar). Khutti ghat is the illegal ghat where the accident took place.
‘Sahibganl Nav Yatayat Sahyog Samiti Limited’ which operates ferry ghats is authorised to operate two goods vessels namely MV Tidal 3 and MV Tidal 4 and two passenger vessels namely Sukhada and Makar. But the lessee is allegedly plying five to six goods vessels and towing Laxmi boat.
“I can’t comment whether the ferry is illegally operated from Garam ghat. But we are not allowing any illegal ghat in Katihar. After the accident, we have extended vigil and no illegal operation will be allowed. If there are illegalities, these are not on our side, Jharkhand should take care of such concerns,” said Udayan Mishra.
Sahebganj DC Ramniwas Yadav could not be contacted for his comment despite repeated efforts.
