Bihar’s Mines Department is set to blacklist 78 companies that grabbed sand ghat contracts at inflated rates only to abandon them mid-term, ensuring they never bid again. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha made this announcement amid rising concerns over revenue protection.
Speaking at a media briefing, Sinha detailed how these firms bid 3-4 times higher than last year but bailed out citing no profits, with evidence pointing to mafia involvement at key sites.
Shifting to positives, Sinha felicitated 71 covert ‘warriors’ whose tips led to busts of illegal mining and overloaded transports, keeping their details under wraps for protection.
Addressing the fallout, district-level task forces chaired by DMs are tasked with evaluating surrendered ghats for fresh tenders post-rate adjustments. Mandatory transit challans for interstate vehicles, now cabinet-approved, will curb smuggling at borders.
Fiscal gains are impressive: Revenue soared from Rs 1,600 crore in FY 2021-22 to Rs 3,500 crore in 2024-25. This year’s Rs 3,800 crore goal sees Rs 3,000 crore in the bag, with March poised to seal it.
Crackdowns continue unabated—31,297 raids April-November 2025, 1,600 cases filed, 400 nabbed. 400 additional cops assist, backed by comprehensive CCTV oversight across quarries.