(a) the number of persons who have been allotted floor lime stone mines on priority basis in Andhra Pradesh;
(b) the minimum wages fixed for the labourers;
(c) whether the Government propose to increase their wages; and
(d) if so, the details thereof ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES AND MINERALS
( SMT. RITA VERMA )
(a): Floor limestone is reckoned to be a minor mineral under Section 3(e) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 and consequently, the Central Government is not concerned with the grant of mining lease for this minor mineral. The regulation of mineral concessions etc. of minor minerals like floor limestone is entirely under the domain of the State Government of Andhra Pradesh and therefore, the Central Government in the Department of Mines do not maintain such information.
(b) to (d): The fixation and increase of wages for workers employed in the floor limestone mines also comes under the purview of the State Government of Andhra Pradesh as per Section 2 of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 and hence this information is also not maintained by the Central Government.
........