(a) whether the Government has formulated any policy regarding mining of stone;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether some States are reported to have violated the directions of the Supreme Court in regard to stone mining;
(d) if so, the details thereof indicating the number of such cases reported so far, State/UT-wise; and
(e) the action taken by the Union Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES, STEEL AND LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)
(a) and (b): State Governments grant mineral concessions. The Central Government has notified the Granite Conservation and Development Rules, 1999 and Marble Conservation and Development Rules, 2002 for systematic and scientific exploitation of granite and marble throughout the country.
(c) and (d): Data on violations of Supreme Court directions on mining of stones are not maintained centrally.
(e): The Central Government has requested the State Governments to: prepare an Action Plan to monitor and curb illegal mining which includes the use of satellite imagery and other intelligence inputs; constitution of State Level Coordination Committee to discuss various issues related to the mining sector; and formulation of State Mineral Policy.