UPSC Prelims 2019 Question:

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. State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.
   
   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation:

• • The Ministry of Mines (MoM), Government of India is responsible for the entire minerals and mining sector in the country. In India, the minerals are classified as minor minerals and non-minor minerals (i.e., major minerals). The policy and legislation relating to minor minerals are entirely delegated to the state governments while policy and legislation relating to the major minerals are dealt with by the MoM.
    
    
  • Clause (e) of Section 3 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, (MMDR Act) classified sand as a minor mineral. So, statement 1 is correct.
    
    
  • Section 15 of the MMDR Act empowers State Governments to make rules for regulating the grant of mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals. The regulation of the grant of mineral concessions and complete administrative control for minor minerals is, therefore, within the legislative and administrative domain of the State Governments. Hence, under the power granted, the State Governments have framed their own minor minerals concession rules and policies. So, statement 2 is not correct.
    
    

• Section 23C of the MMDR Act empowers the State Government to make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation, and storage of minerals. So, statement 3 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: Environment | Environmental Acts and Policies