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 Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
This questions was previously asked in
UPSC CSP Previous Year Paper (2019)
1 and 3 only
Correct Answer2 and 3 only
Incorrect Answer1, 2 and 3
Incorrect AnswerExplanation:
In India, the minerals are classified as minor minerals and major minerals. Majorminerals are those specified in the first schedule appended in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act 1957) and the common major minerals are Lignite, Coal, Uranium, iron ore, gold etc.
Sand is a minor mineral, as defined under section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act).
Section 15 of the MMDR Act empowersstate governments to make rules for regulating the grant of mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals and for purposes connected therewith.
The central government has the power to notify “minor minerals” under section 3 (e) of the MMDR Act, 1957. The power to frame policy and legislation relating to minor minerals is entirely delegated to the State Governments while policy and legislation relating to the major minerals are dealt by the Ministry of Mines under Union /Central Government. Therefore statement 2 is incorrect.
The regulation of grant of mineral concessions for minor minerals is, therefore, within the legislative and administrative domain of the state governments. Under the power granted to them by section 15 of the MMDR Act, State Governments have framed their own minor minerals concession rules.
Further,section 23C of theMMDR Act, 1957 empowers state governments to frame rules to prevent illegal mining, transportation and storage of mineralsand for purposes connected therewith. Control of illegal mining is, therefore, under the legislative and administrative jurisdiction of state governments.
Sourece: http://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=155423
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