Bhopal Gas Tragedy Widows to Receive Enhanced Pension

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct. The Bhopal Gas Tragedy involved a leak of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) plant. Statement 2 is correct. The principle of 'Absolute Liability' was indeed propounded by the Supreme Court in the M.C. Mehta v. Union of India case (Oleum Gas Leak case) in 1986, which was a direct response to the inadequacy of the 'Strict Liability' principle in the context of industrial hazards like Bhopal. Statement 3 is incorrect. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. While it handles environmental cases, it was not established *specifically* to address compensation claims from the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which predates its formation by decades. Claims related to Bhopal were largely handled by civil courts and specific commissions/acts.

सही उत्तर: D

Statement 1 is correct. The 'Polluter Pays Principle' is a fundamental principle of environmental law, recognized and applied in India, holding polluters responsible for remediation costs. Statement 2 is correct. The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, was enacted to provide for public liability insurance for the purpose of providing immediate relief to persons affected by accidents occurring while handling any hazardous substance. Statement 3 is correct. Article 48A, inserted by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, is a DPSP that directs the State to endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.

सही उत्तर: C

Option A is a direct implication. The tragedy underscored the severe lack of industrial safety regulations and enforcement, leading to reforms. Option B is a direct implication. The long-drawn legal battles and inadequate compensation have been a major challenge for the victims and a lesson for future disaster management. Option D is a direct implication. The legal complexities and the eventual settlement with Union Carbide highlighted the difficulties in holding multinational corporations fully accountable. Option C is NOT a direct implication. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was established in 2006 under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, primarily in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, to manage all types of disasters, not specifically as a direct response to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984). While Bhopal highlighted disaster management gaps, NDMA's formation was much later and broader in scope.