Action against land mafia by March, says Dy CM

Patna: Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha warned land mafia that the state govt, with the aim of creating a transparent system and reducing long-pending disputes, will take a decisive action against them by March this year.Addressing a workshop on “Stakeholder consultation on town planning scheme” here on Sunday, Sinha, who also holds the portfolios of urban development and housing as well as revenue and land reforms, highlighted land mafia as a major challenge in Bihar’s urban growth.“The highest number of disputes in the state are related to land. People are ready to spill even their own brother’s blood over an inch of land,” Sinha said. To curb such problems, the govt introduced the Anchal Guard system across all circles (revenue units).The Deputy CM said active land mafia across the state will face action by March. “We started addressing this through land reforms and public welfare dialogues at the commissioner-level. Our current target is to conduct accurate land measurements and correct records.”He classified three main types of mafia operating in Bihar—land, sand and alcohol. He said the sand mafia has already been effectively controlled, and now land mafia was next in the line. Meanwhile, alcohol mafia is being handled by his ministerial colleague Samrat Choudhary.The workshop, focused on town planning schemes, was inaugurated by Sinha. Among those present were Patna mayor Sita Sahu, principal secretary of UDHD Vinay Kumar, secretary Sandeep Kumar Pudkalakatti, Patna divisional commissioner Animesh Parashar, and several senior officials from the department.Sinha stressed the need for planned urban development amid rapid migration to cities for better employment and lifestyle. He pointed out that while India’s urban population has reached 36%, Bihar’s stands at only about 16.6%, which is a matter of concern. “The new govt decided in its first cabinet meeting to develop 11 new townships, including nine at divisional headquarters and Sonepur and Sitamarhi,” he said.He added earlier migrations were driven by fear of massacres, but now rural Bihar has improved basic infrastructure. “People are no longer fleeing villages due to issues in education, health, or law and order. Cities can prosper only when villages develop too,” he added.Discussing the Bihar Town Planning Policy 2025, principal secretary of UDHD said building bylaws will be simplified, with provisions to replace jail terms for violations with financial penalties.