(a) whether chalk mineral is available only in Gujarat State;
(b) if so, whether marginal labourers/farmers are engaged in the Chalk mining activities;
(c) if so, whether the Government of Gujarat has requested the Union Government to consider
Chalk as a Minor Mineral instead of Major Mineral;
(d) if so, whether the Government has re-considered the request of Gujarat State; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES
(DR. T. SUBBARAMI REDDY)
(a)&(b) Production of mineral chalk is reported only from Gujarat. State Government has
reported involvement of farmers in Chalk mining activities.
(c) to (e) State Government of Gujarat had sent a proposal for declaring Chalk as a minor
mineral. After examining the proposal, the Central Government has decided that in the
interest of scientific and systematic development, mineral chalk, should continue to be
classified as a major mineral.