Question 53 from UPSC CSE 2025 - Current Affairs (Polity & Governanc e)

Question

Consider the following statements:
Statement I: In India, State Governments have no power to make rules for the grant of concessions in respect of the 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?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: D. Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

Strategy: Focus on authority keywords: Statement I denies State Government power, but the MMDR Act gives them clear authority over rule-making for minor minerals. Statement II mentions Central Government's power to notify minor minerals, which aligns with statutory provisions. Only Statement II stands correct upon close reading of law, making option D the only valid choice.

Key Info: The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) is the principal legislation governing minerals in India.

Minor minerals, as defined under Section 3(e) of the Act, include building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand, and other minerals as notified by the Central Government from time to time. The Central Government has the discretion to declare any mineral as a minor mineral through official notifications. Examples of minor minerals include sand, stone, and clay, many of which are used in construction and local industries.

Section 15 of the MMDR Act provides that State Governments are fully empowered to make rules concerning the regulation of grant of mineral concessions, mining leases, quarry leases, and other forms of rights regarding extraction of minor minerals within their territorial jurisdiction. This includes specifying procedures, conditions, rates of royalty, and penalties. Major minerals, in contrast, remain under the regulation of the Central Government.

Thus, while the Central Government notifies what is classified as a minor mineral, the States manage and regulate their extraction through rulemaking and granting leases. The clear legislative division ensures local governance and revenue for states, while central authority maintains uniformity in mineral classification.

Answer

Option A: Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II explains Statement I

Answer

Option B: Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I

Answer

Option C: Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct