Patna: Bihar govt has announced a one-time settlement scheme for brick kiln operators to recover long-pending mining revenue dues, offering a major relief by waiving Rs85 crore towards interest if the outstanding principal amount is deposited by Dec 20.The announcement was made by mines and geology minister Pramod Kumar at a news conference here on Friday. The scheme covers outstanding dues of brick kilns up to the 2024-25 season.According to the department, Rs316.66 crore in revenue was pending collection from brick kilns. Of this, Rs27.28 crore has already been recovered, leaving Rs289.38 crore outstanding. Under the settlement scheme, Rs85 crore, representing the interest component of the pending amount, will be waived if the eligible dues are deposited within the stipulated deadline of Dec 20, 2026.The scheme also seeks to clear litigation and recovery proceedings against defaulting brick kilns. Where a brick kiln operator deposits the “settled amount”—the outstanding dues after exclusion of interest—the auction petition officer concerned will be informed that no public demand remains pending against the operator, paving the way for disposal of the proceedings.The settlement period will run from Sept 21 to Dec 20, 2026.The govt has also amended the Bihar District Mineral Foundation Rules. Under the 2018 rules, 60% of the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund was earmarked for high-priority areas directly affected by mining and 40% for low-priority areas. Following the amendment, the allocation will be increased to 70% for high-priority areas and 30% for low-priority areas.The amended rules will also bring MPs, MLAs and members of the legislative council into the DMF governing council, with the govt stating that their inclusion would bring greater transparency to the selection of public welfare projects.The minister said the revised framework would facilitate development and welfare projects in mining-affected areas and help minimise the adverse impacts while supporting long-term livelihoods of affected communities.
