Consider the following statements

2025

“Critical Minerals,Rare Earth,Other Minerals”, Geography

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: In India, State Governments have no power for making rules for grant of concessions in respect of extraction of minor minerals even though such minerals are located in their territories.
Statement II: In India, the Central Government has the power to notify minor minerals under the relevant law.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a)

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I

(b)

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I

(c)

Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct

(d)

Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

Answer:

(d)

Explanation

Statement I is Incorrect: Under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act)The Central Government has the power to declare minerals as “minor minerals”. However under the Section 15 the Act State Governments have the power to make rules regarding grant of concessions, regulation of mining, and extraction of minor minerals like ordinary sand, clay, gravel within their territories. So, states do have rule-making powers for minor minerals. Statement II is Correct: The Central Government has the power to notify what constitutes a “minor mineral” under Section 3(e) of the MMDR Act, 1957. For example, the central government declared ordinary sand as a minor mineral in 2015. However, once notified, the actual regulation of minor minerals rests entirely with state governments. Answer: (d)