Bihar Mines Department Achieves Rs 3,592.60 Crore Revenue in 2025-26
Patna: Bihar's mines and geology department has reported a significant revenue collection of Rs 3,592.60 crore for the financial year 2025-26, marking an increase of Rs 56.39 crore over the previous year's earnings of Rs 3,536.21 crore. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, who also holds the mines and geology portfolio, announced these figures during a press conference in Patna on Wednesday.
Overcoming Major Revenue Challenges
Sinha emphasized that the department managed to improve its revenue performance despite facing substantial setbacks throughout the year. The most significant challenge came from the surrender of 78 sand ghats, which resulted in an estimated revenue loss of approximately Rs 600 crore. Additionally, the department received only Rs 369 crore from various work departments in 2025-26, compared to Rs 511 crore in the previous fiscal year, creating a shortfall of nearly Rs 150 crore.
Technical issues during the closing hours of March 31, 2026, prevented the department from receiving Rs 309 crore from different agencies and departments. This pending amount includes:
- Rs 32 crore from Railways
- Rs 70 crore from the rural works department
- Rs 20 crore from CPWD
- Rs 6.5 crore from Patna Metro
Sinha expressed confidence that once these dues are transferred in April, the department will surpass its revenue target of Rs 3,800 crore.
Strong Performance Across Districts
The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted that 21 districts exceeded their revenue targets during the 2025-26 fiscal year. He praised officials in these districts as well as department personnel for their exceptional performance and dedication to achieving revenue goals despite the challenging circumstances.
Long-Term Revenue Growth Trajectory
Sinha provided historical context to demonstrate the department's remarkable growth over the years:
- Revenue collection stood at just Rs 41 crore in 2001-02
- Increased to Rs 263 crore in 2009-10 during the first five years of the NDA regime
- Climbed to Rs 1,700 crore in 2021-22
- Doubled to Rs 3,536 crore in 2024-25
- Reached Rs 3,592.60 crore in 2025-26
Strict Action Against Companies Surrendering Sand Ghats
Issuing a stern warning to companies that surrendered the 78 sand ghats, Sinha declared they would be prohibited from participating in fresh tenders for sand mining leases in Bihar. He stated that such firms would be barred even if they attempted to bid under different names or by changing company names, directors, or partners.
According to Sinha, the companies surrendered their leases citing heavy losses, but strict monitoring of overloading and illegal mining activities forced them to exit the sector. The department has already issued fresh tenders for the auction of 12 sand ghats as part of its ongoing efforts to optimize revenue generation from mining operations.
Sinha was accompanied at the press conference by mines director Manesh Kumar Meena, additional secretary Bharat Bhushan Prasad, and other senior officials from the department.
