(a) whether the Government is aware that Nishad Community or Fisherman community living near river, lake, pond are dependent on fishing, sand excavation from river and mallahi;
(b) if so, whether these communities are affected from bidding of sand mining and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether these communities are being razed out and have not been inhabitated so far and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government for rehabilitation of the said communities?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA)
(a) to (d) As per Section 23 (C) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, (MMDR Act), 1957, State Governments have complete powers to make rules for prevention of illegal mining for both major and minor minerals and for purpose connected therewith. Sand is a minor mineral, as defined under Section 3(e) of MMDR Act, 1957. Further, Section 15 of MMDR Act empowers the State Government for making rules for regulation of the grant of quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions in respect of minor mineral and for purposes connected therewith. Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has informed that Nishad caste/community from the states of Delhi, Haryana and Rajasthan has been included in the Central List of Other Backward Classes (OBC). The Government is implementing various educational empowerment and economic development Schemes for welfare and upliftment of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes. Persons belonging to the castes/communities which are included in Central List of Scheduled Castes or other Backward Classes are eligible to avail benefits of these schemes.
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