In a sweeping crackdown against illegal mining activities, the Bihar government has intensified enforcement operations across the state and introduced a public reward scheme aimed at curbing rampant sand, stone, and soil smuggling. Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Mines and Geology Vijay Kumar Sinha announced on Tuesday that the police force dedicated to anti-mining operations will soon be expanded, with a proposal to be sent to the Home Department.
Calling illegal mining a “serious threat to state revenue and public welfare,” Sinha issued a stern warning to officials, stating that strict departmental action would follow any negligence found in enforcement. The Mines Department, which had set a revenue target of ₹3,500 crore for 2024–25, exceeded expectations by collecting Rs 3,569 crore. For 2025–26, the department has already collected Rs 1,530 crore by November—well ahead of its interim milestone.
Nearly 32,000 Raids in Nine Months; 420 Arrested
Between April and November 2025, enforcement teams across Bihar conducted a massive 31,997 raids targeting illegal mining and transportation networks. The operations led to:
●1,696 FIRs registered
●420 arrests made
●3,599 vehicles seized, including trucks, tractors, and earthmovers
Additionally, 13 officials have been punished for failing to act against illegal mining, while departmental proceedings are underway against 21 mineral development officers and inspectors. Sinha credited field operatives, whom he termed “mining warriors,” for their active role in tightening enforcement across districts.
Public to Get Cash Rewards for Reporting Illegal Sand Transport
In a major push for community participation, the government has introduced a cash reward scheme for citizens who provide actionable information:
Rs 5,000 for reporting illegal sand smuggling by tractor
Rs 10,000 for reporting illegal sand smuggling by truck
The Deputy CM said the initiative would help dismantle the mining mafia’s supply chain, adding that complaint monitoring systems have been strengthened and joint enforcement teams are active statewide.
Bihar Emerging as a Key Player in India’s Mining Sector
Mines Department Secretary Devesh Sehra said Bihar is fast gaining prominence on India’s mining map. The state has successfully auctioned three blocks of critical and strategic minerals—with one block already granted a composite licence and two more set to receive approvals soon.
Sehra added that the department is committed to sustainable mineral development that balances economic growth with environmental responsibility.
Land Reform Dialogue to Begin December 12
Alongside mining reforms, the Bihar government is preparing to address long-standing land-related grievances. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, who also handles the Land Reforms portfolio, announced a “Land Reform Public Welfare Dialogue” beginning December 12 in Patna.
Over the next 100 days, the programme will cover all districts. The first public session will be held on December 15 at Lakhisarai Town Hall, bringing together citizens and departmental officials to expedite the resolution of:
●Land disputes
●Record corrections
●Pending revenue cases
46 Lakh Applications Received Under Revenue Mega Campaign
Reviewing the ongoing Revenue Mega Campaign, Sinha said the state has received 46 lakh applications, of which 15 lakh have already been uploaded to the system. The remaining applications are expected to be digitized by December 31, 2025.
Senior officials including Principal Secretary C.K. Anil, Secretary Jai Singh, Director J. Priyadarshini, and OSD Chandrima Atri attended the review meeting.
