Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought 2. lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (b)
• Statement 2 is correct: Section 3(2)(iv) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 empowers the Central Government to lay down standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources.
• Statement 1 is not correct: the Act itself does not state a requirement of public participation or the procedure for it; public hearings came later through the Environment Impact Assessment Notification, which is subordinate legislation.
• Hence 2 only, option (b), as in the official UPSC key.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 1 is not correct, and statement 2 is correct.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Statement 1 is not correct: the Act does not itself provide for public participation.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Statement 2 is correct under Section 3(2)(iv).
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.