UPSC Prelims 2019 · GS Paper I
Question 62: Economy and Social Development
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?
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Sand is a minor mineral under Section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The Centre can declare other minerals to be minor, but the power to make rules for granting leases and concessions for minor minerals rests with the State Governments, and States can also frame rules to prevent illegal mining, transport and storage of minor minerals. So statement 2, which gives rule-making to the Centre, is false.
- 1. Sand is a minor mineral under the Mines and Minerals Act.
- 2. State Governments make the rules for minor mineral concessions.
- 3. States can frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (b) and (c) go: each of them leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: Sand is a minor mineral under the Mines and Minerals Act.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (d) goes: it includes 2.
What you needed to know: State Governments make the rules for minor mineral concessions.
Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Correct: statements 1 and 3 hold.
- (b) Statement 2 is false: States make the rules for minor minerals.
- (c) Statement 1 is also correct.
- (d) Statement 2 is false.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2019, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.