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?

Let's analyze each statement regarding the management of minor minerals in India: 1. Sand is a 'minor mineral' according to the prevailing law in the country. This statement is correct. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act), empowers the Central Government to declare what shall be 'major minerals' and 'minor minerals'. States are then given powers over minor minerals. Various State Governments have notified sand as a 'minor mineral' under the MMDR Act for regulatory purposes. 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. This statement is incorrect. While State Governments indeed have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, they also have the exclusive power to frame rules for regulating the grant of mining leases, prospecting licenses, and other related matters for minor minerals under Section 15 of the MMDR Act, 1957. The Central Government's rule-making powers under the MMDR Act primarily pertain to major minerals. 3. State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals. This statement is correct. Section 23C of the MMDR Act, 1957, empowers State Governments to make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation, and storage of minerals, which includes minor minerals. This provision is crucial for tackling the widespread issue of illegal sand mining and other minor mineral extraction.