Rights And Liabilities Of The Government

**Statement 1 is correct:** As per Section 3(e) of the MMDR Act, 1957, sand is classified as a ‘minor mineral’ along with other minerals such as gravel, clay, marble, and limestone. **Statement 2 is incorrect:** The power to make rules regarding the grant of minor minerals lies with State Governments, not the Central Government. Under Section 15 of the MMDR Act, State governments can frame rules related to the extraction, leasing, and transportation of minor minerals. However, the central government regulates major minerals like coal, iron ore, and bauxite. **Statement 3 is correct:** The MMDR Act empowers state governments to make rules to regulate the grant of mining leases and other mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals, which includes the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals.