The former chief minister and BJP leader, Babulal Marandi has shot a letter to chief minister Hemant Soren to stop the recruitment of mining developers cum operators (MDO) for the bandobast (settlement) and operation of sand mining in Jharkhand. Marandi said that Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation Limited (JSMDCL) has violated the order of the Jharkhand High Court and the guidelines of Forest Environment and Climate Change by making appointments of MDO.

"This matter has been brought to my notice by many citizens and social outfits that JSMDCL has appointed MDO for the bandobast of sand ghats and clusters by violating rules and regulations including the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Notably, NGT has made many new rules and regulations for the mining sands which Jharkhand has accepted to implement," Marandi has said. He added that under the existing rules the notification of sand ghats, details of the topography of the area, and environmental issues will have to be seen. He said that the JSMDC without furnishing reports started the appointment process of MDO.

Marandi alleged that the way the government had adopted the process during the bandobast of liquor shops to help the liquor cartel the same process is being adopted in sand mining.

He alleged the Hemant Soren government was making arrangements to hand out all 540 sand ghat of Jharkhand to outsiders. Marandi said that terms and conditions of tender for sand ghats have been framed in such a way that it is nearly impossible for local people to compete with outsiders. He wondered how CM allowed such an injustice with residents of Jharkhand.

He expressed surprise over the fact that the secretary of the mining department was also the chief director of JSMDC. Hence in the case of anomalies in the JSMDC any probe will be impossible. He questioned why a permanent appointment of director of JSMDC was not done despite the High Court's order.