Question 1
Consider the following statements regarding Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India:
1. Public health and sanitation are explicitly listed as functions of Municipalities under the Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution.
2. The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act mandates the constitution of Ward Committees in municipalities with a population of three lakhs or more.
3. The District Planning Committees (DPCs), constituted under the 74th Amendment, are responsible for consolidating plans prepared by Panchayats and Municipalities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Statement 1: The Twelfth Schedule (Article 243W) lists 18 functional items for municipalities, which include 'Public health, sanitation conservancy and solid waste management'. This statement is correct.
Statement 2: Article 243S of the 74th Amendment Act states that 'There shall be constituted Ward Committees, consisting of one or more Wards, within the territorial area of a Municipality having a population of three lakhs or more.' This statement is correct.
Statement 3: Article 243ZD of the 74th Amendment Act provides for the constitution of District Planning Committees to consolidate the plans prepared by the Panchayats and the Municipalities in the district and to prepare a draft development plan for the district as a whole. This statement is correct.
Therefore, all three statements are correct.
Question 2
In the context of urban public health and infrastructure in India, which of the following statements is NOT correct?
- The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) aims to provide universal coverage of water supply and sewerage services in mission cities.
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban) focuses on achieving 100% scientific management of municipal solid waste and open defecation free (ODF) status in urban areas.
- Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) seeks to provide functional household tap connections to all urban households with a focus on water conservation.
- All urban development schemes in India are exclusively funded by the Central Government, with states having no financial contribution.
Explanation: Statements A, B, and C correctly describe the primary objectives of AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban), and Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) respectively. These schemes are crucial for improving urban public health and infrastructure.
Statement D is incorrect. Most urban development schemes in India, including those mentioned, are centrally sponsored schemes, meaning they involve financial contributions from both the Central Government and the respective State Governments, often in a predefined sharing pattern. States also have their own urban development budgets and schemes.
Question 3
The Indore tragedy, where administrative inaction led to deaths from contaminated water, directly implicates the fundamental right to life. In this context, consider the following statements:
1. The Supreme Court of India has interpreted the 'Right to Life' under Article 21 to include the right to live with human dignity, which encompasses the right to a healthy environment and safe drinking water.
2. Administrative accountability for public service delivery falls primarily under the purview of the executive, with judicial review serving as a corrective mechanism.
3. The absence of a robust grievance redressal mechanism at the local level can be considered a violation of the principles of good governance and administrative justice.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: Statement 1: The Supreme Court, through various landmark judgments (e.g., Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar, M.C. Mehta cases), has expanded the scope of Article 21 to include the right to a healthy environment, pollution-free water and air, and a dignified life, which implicitly includes access to safe drinking water. This statement is correct.
Statement 2: Administrative accountability is indeed a core principle of the executive branch's functioning. Judicial review allows courts to examine the legality and constitutionality of administrative actions (or inactions), thus acting as a crucial check and balance. This statement is correct.
Statement 3: Robust grievance redressal mechanisms are fundamental to good governance, ensuring transparency, responsiveness, and accountability. Their absence can lead to administrative injustice and public suffering, as seen in the Indore case. This statement is correct.
Therefore, all three statements are correct.