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?

Statement 1 is correct. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act, 1957) defines 'minor minerals'. Section 3(e) of the Act lists several minerals as minor minerals, including building stones, gravel, ordinary clay, ordinary sand other than sand used for prescribed purposes, and any other mineral which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare to be a minor mineral. Ordinary sand is explicitly included.Statement 2 is incorrect. Section 15 of the MMDR Act, 1957, empowers State Governments to make rules for regulating the grant of quarry leases, mining leases or other mineral concessions in respect of minor minerals and for purposes connected therewith. This includes the power to frame rules related to the grant of leases. The Central Government's rule-making power under Section 14 applies only to minerals other than minor minerals.Statement 3 is correct. Section 23C of the MMDR Act, 1957, empowers State Governments to make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minor minerals and for the purposes connected therewith.