Bihar Records ₹3,569 Crore Revenue from Sand Mining in FY 2024-25: Crackdown on Illegal Mining Yields Results

The Bihar government has cracked down on the black business of golden sand. Now its positive results are also visible. The Mines and Geology Department of the state government has created a new record in the recovery of revenue from sand mining in the financial year 2024-25. A record increase of about 14 percent has been registered from the revenue target set for the last financial year i.e. 2024-25.

Revenue of Rs 3569 crore recovered

Deputy Chief Minister cum Mines and Geology Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha of the state told in a press conference held in his office room on Friday that for the financial year 2024-25, the department had set a target of revenue recovery of Rs 3500 crore. Whereas against this, the department has recovered a total revenue of Rs 3569 crore. He said that now illegal mining of yellow and white sand will not be tolerated in the state at any cost.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha said that this amount is 14 percent more than the revenue target set by the department, which is a new record in the last five years. Vijay Kumar Sinha said that this has been possible when the Bihar government implemented a new mining policy in the state in October 2024 last year, which has not only stopped the illegal excavation of sand in the state but has also curbed the illegal transportation and carrying of sand.

Principal Secretary of Mines and Geology Department Narmadeshwar Lal and Director of the Department Vinod Duhan were also present in this press conference. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that this target of revenue collection has been possible when more than 25 percent of the contractors involved in sand mining surrendered their ghats to the government. Sand could not be mined from such sand ghats.

Firing and violent incidents stopped

He admitted that due to the complexities of strict environmental laws, sand could not be mined from many sand ghats. Apart from this, many problems have also arisen due to no entry and jam on the roads. Mines and Geology Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha also claimed that due to the new mining policy, the incidents of firing and violence on sand ghats have also stopped. Also, due to the stop of overloading of sand, the condition of roads and bridges of the state has also improved.

Government saved crores of rupees

Overloading has also improved the maintenance of roads and bridges and the government has saved crores of rupees spent on their repair. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said that in the provision of the new mining policy, all mineral development officers have been given the powers of magistrate. Also, the announcement of reward for those giving information about illegal mining, transportation and storage of sand has also made the work of the department easier.