Question raised in Lok Sabha on Illegal Sand Mining, 10/07/2019. As per the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957 and rules made there under, the State Governments are custodians of the minerals located within their respective boundaries. Section 23C of the MMDR Act, 1957 empowers the State Governments to make rules for preventing illegal mining, transportation and storage of minerals and for the purposes connected therewith. Based on the information reported by the State Governments to Indian Bureau of Mines, the details of the cases of illegal mining for major & minor minerals.