With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements:Sand

Question

With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements:Sand is a minor mineral according to the prevailing law in the country.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.State Government have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Statement 1 is correct - Sand is a minor mineral, as defined under section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act).Statement 2 is not correct - As per Section 15 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957, State Governments have been empowered to frame rules in respect of minor minerals for regulating the grant of quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals and for purposes connected therewith.Statement 3 is correct - Section 23C of the MMDR Act, 1957 empowers state governments to frame rules to prevent illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and for purposes connected therewith. Control of illegal mining is, therefore, under the legislative and administrative jurisdiction of state governments.