Patna: Bihar’s Mines and Geology Department will recruit 1,000 dedicated ‘Khanan Sipahi’ (mining constables) to strengthen action against illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals, Mines and Geology Minister Pramod Kumar announced on Thursday.
The proposed force, modelled on the Prohibition and Excise Department, will enable the department to conduct independent raids without relying on the local police.
“The department has prepared a proposal for recruitment of 1,000 Khanan Sipahi. Just as the Excise Department conducts raids through its own force, the Mines Department will also have a dedicated team for enforcement,” the minister said.
He said the proposal is being prepared for recruitment through the appropriate commission, while eligibility criteria, training and other modalities are being finalised.
According to the minister, having a dedicated force will improve transparency in mining activities and reduce the burden on district administrations, which currently assist in enforcement operations.
Revenue collection rises nearly 39%
The department reported a significant increase in revenue collection during the first four months of the 2026-27 financial year.
Revenue reached ₹790.23 crore between April and July 2026, compared with ₹569.12 crore during the corresponding period last year, registering an increase of ₹221.11 crore (38.85%).
Pramod Kumar said the department has set a revenue target of ₹5,000 crore for the current financial year and expressed confidence that it would achieve the goal.
More raids against illegal mining
The department also intensified enforcement against illegal mining and transportation.
Up to July in 2026-27:
- 16,861 raids were conducted.
- 278 people were arrested.
- 2,497 vehicles were seized.
- ₹32.64 crore was recovered as penalties.
During the same period in 2025-26, the department had carried out 16,401 raids, arrested 198 people, seized 2,058 vehicles, and recovered ₹31.24 crore in penalties.
Stone mining leases to expand
The minister said the tender notification for eight stone mining leases in Nawada has already been published.
Tender notifications for stone mining leases in Aurangabad, Gaya, Sheikhpura and Banka will be issued by 15 August.
He said operationalising these mines would generate employment as well as increase state revenue. The leases will be granted for five years.
Roadshow on August 17
A roadshow will be held in Patna on 17 August to promote the auction of magnetite, vanadium and glauconite mineral blocks in Gaya and Rohtas districts.
Senior officials from the Centre and the Bihar government will participate in the event, which aims to attract industry players and potential bidders by providing detailed information about the auction process.
₹45 crore earned through ISTP in under two months
The minister said the Inter-State Transit Pass (ISTP) system, introduced on June 10, has generated nearly ₹45 crore in revenue within less than two months.
The digital platform tracks vehicles carrying minor minerals entering Bihar from other states and currently generates around ₹6 crore in weekly revenue.
The department expects the ISTP system alone to contribute ₹250 crore during the current financial year.
So far:
- 22,203 vehicles have been registered on the ISTP portal.
- Around 4,000 vehicles enter Bihar daily from states including Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.
GPS mandatory for mineral transport vehicles
The Mines Department will also introduce GPS-based tracking for vehicles transporting minor minerals into Bihar.
Vehicle owners will be given one to one-and-a-half months to install GPS devices. Action will be taken against those who fail to comply.
The initiative aims to improve transparency and enable real-time monitoring of mineral transportation.
Focus on river silt management
The department has directed district administrations to prepare District Survey Reports (DSRs) for silt management in rivers across Bihar.
After approval of the reports, the District Magistrates will conduct auctions for silt extraction.
According to the minister, the initiative will help reduce excessive silt accumulation, generate additional revenue and support infrastructure projects.
He also said the government is considering a proposal from brick kiln owners to use silt deposited in the Ganga for brick manufacturing and will hold separate discussions with industry representatives on the matter.
