UPSC Prelims 2019 Q62: Indian Economy – Infrastructure & Industry
- (a) 1 and 3 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only
Explanation
Minor Minerals in India: Legal Framework
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sand is a minor mineral | TRUE | Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, sand is classified as a minor mineral (Notification of 1958). |
| 2 | States can grant leases BUT rule-making with Centre | FALSE | Section 15 of MMDR Act explicitly gives State Governments the power to make rules for grant of leases in minor minerals AND to prevent illegal mining. Rule-making for minor minerals is a STATE power. |
| 3 | States can frame rules to prevent illegal mining | TRUE | Section 15 empowers states to make rules for grant of leases, illegal mining prevention, penalties. |
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only.
Answer: (a) 1 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Sand is a minor mineral (S1), and States have both leasing AND rule-making powers over minor minerals (making S2 wrong and S3 right).
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 wrongly attributes rule-making to Centre; that power is with States.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 1 (sand = minor mineral) is also correct.
- (d) Incorrect. Statement 2 is wrong.
Key point
MMDR Act: Major minerals = Central rules. Minor minerals (sand, stone, ordinary clay, gravel) = State rules + State leases under Section 15. Sand is minor mineral.
Remember
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Sand is a minor mineral under the MMDR Act 1957. State Governments have BOTH the power to grant mining leases AND the power to make rules for grant of leases and prevention of illegal mining of minor minerals (under Section 15 of MMDR Act). Statement 2 wrongly places rule-making with the Centre.
Common mistakes
- Confusing minor vs major mineral jurisdiction. Major = Centre. Minor = State.
- Assuming sand mining is under Centre - it is State subject.
- Not knowing the Deepak Kumar case (2012 SC) that mandated EIA/EC for minor mineral mining above 5 hectares.
Exam tip
Minor vs Major mineral list: Minor = sand, ordinary clay, gravel, road metal, murrum, boulders, ordinary marble (specified). Major = coal, iron ore, bauxite, copper, gold, diamond, chromite, manganese, uranium, thorium, atomic minerals. Central jurisdiction (major) vs State (minor).
Sources
- Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 - Section 15
- SC judgment - Deepak Kumar v State of Haryana (2012)