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 th

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Q: 12 (IAS/2019)
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?
Consider the following minerals: 1. Bentonite 2. Chromite 3. Kyanite 4. Sillimanite Q. In India, which of the above is/are officially designated as major minerals? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 4 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 2, 3 and 4 only

question_subject: 

History

question_exam: 

IAS

stats: 

0,98,118,98,23,25,70

keywords: 

{'minor minerals': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'minor mineral': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'illegal mining': [0, 0, 0, 2], 'state governments': [3, 4, 3, 22], 'mining leases': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'powers': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'central government': [1, 0, 0, 1], 'power': [24, 3, 21, 61], 'law': [0, 0, 0, 1], 'sand': [5, 0, 1, 6], 'india': [8, 1, 7, 13], 'rules': [1, 0, 1, 6]}

The correct answer is option A (1 and 3 only).

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, which regulates the mining sector in India, defines ‘minor minerals’ as minerals other than ‘major minerals’.

Statement 2 is not entirely correct. Under the Constitution of India, regulation of mines and mineral development is a state subject. Thus, state governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals as well as to frame rules related to their grant. However, the Central Government has the power to make rules for the whole country in respect of any matter relating to minor minerals.

Statement 3 is correct. State governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals. For example, several states have enacted rules to regulate the transportation of sand and other minor minerals to curb illegal mining and transportation.