With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements: 1. Sand is a ‘minor mineral’ according to the prevailing law in the country. 2. State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Central Government. 3. The State Government has the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Question

YESPYQ · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: 1 and 3 only. Statement 1 is correct : According to Section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), ‘minor minerals’ include building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand, and other minerals that the Central Government may declare as minor minerals. Statement 2 is incorrect : State Governments have the power to grant mining leases for minor minerals under Section 15 of the MMDR Act. The Central Government does not have the power to frame rules related to the grant of minor minerals. The power to frame rules for minor minerals lies with the State Govern- ments under Section 15(1A) of the MMDR Act. Statement 3 is correct : Section 23C of the MMDR Act em- powers State Governments to make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation, and storage of minerals, including minor minerals. 125

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