The Mines and Geology Department of Bihar has taken serious note of significant shortfalls in revenue collection across multiple districts. The department has formally sought clarifications from its district-level officers, pressing them to explain the reasons behind the poor financial performance.
Notices Served to District Officers
Director of Mines and Geology, Manesh Kumar Meena, has issued official notices to the Mines Development Officers (MDOs) and mines inspectors of the concerned districts. The notices demand a detailed explanation for the consistently low revenue collection from mining activities and related geological resources.
The districts identified for their underperformance include a wide geographical spread across the state: Rohtas, Patna, Gaya, Jehanabad, Lakhisarai, Munger, Begusarai, Vaishali, Sheohar, Katihar, Madhubani, Bhagalpur, Saran, and Madhepura. The concerned officers have been directed to submit their written explanations for the revenue shortfall promptly.
Revenue Targets and Current Performance
The state has set an ambitious revenue collection target of Rs 3,850 crore for the current financial year. Data shows that between April and November, the total collection stood at approximately Rs 1,530 crore.
While this figure is notably higher than the Rs 1,155 crore collected in the same period of the previous financial year (2024-25), it has not alleviated departmental concerns. The improvement, though positive, is insufficient to ensure the annual target is met, putting pressure on officials to accelerate collections in the remaining months.
Department Under Pressure for Improvement
The department plans to conduct a rigorous review of the officers' performance after one week. This review will specifically assess whether any comparative improvement in revenue collection has been achieved following the issuance of the notices.
The move underscores the administration's focus on optimizing revenue from the state's mineral resources. The lagging performance of these 14 districts poses a risk to the overall fiscal goal, prompting the central department to intervene directly at the district unit level.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in revenue administration and the state government's drive to ensure all departments contribute effectively to the treasury. The coming weeks will be critical for the identified districts to demonstrate a tangible uptick in their collection efforts.
