← All questionsGS4 · 2018 · Case Studies — Public Sector ·Polluting Factory and Job Losses (Case)
QUESTION 10
GS4
20 marks

A big corporate house is engaged in manufacturing industrial chemicals on a large scale. It proposes to set upon the additional unit. Many states rejected its proposal due to the detrimental effect on the environment. But one state government acceded to the request and permitted the unit close to a city, brushing aside all opposition. The unit was set up 10 years ago and was in full swing till recently. The pollution caused by the industrial effluents was affecting the land, water and crops in the area. It was also causing serious health problems to human beings and animals. This gave rise to a series of agitation thousands of people took part, creating a law and order problem necessitating stern police action. Following the public outcry, the State government ordered the closure of the factory. The closure of the factory resulted in the unemployment of not only those workers who were engaged in the factory but also those who were working in the ancillary units. It also very badly affected those industry which depended on the chemicals manufactured by it. As a senior officer entrusted with the responsibility of handling this issues, how are you going to address it?

WRITE IN
14 min
250 words

What the examiner wants

Balance environment, health, jobs and economy after a polluting chemical plant's closure.

Case studyName the stakeholders and the issues, weigh the options, and say what you would do and why.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1Stakeholders: affected villagers, workers, ancillary units, company, regulators, wider economy≈50 words
  2. 2Issues: right to health and clean environment, livelihood, regulatory failure, corporate responsibility≈50 words
  3. 3Options: permanent closure; reopen as is; conditional reopening after clean-up and compliance≈50 words
  4. 4Course: polluter pays for clean-up and compensation; conditional reopening only with strict compliance and monitoring; meanwhile worker support, reskilling, alternate jobs; fix accountability of regulators≈50 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

FactsStakeholdersEthical issuesOptionsChosen courseLong-term lessonsConclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Choosing jobs over health or health over jobs without a middle path
  • Ignoring accountability of officials who allowed the plant

Draw this

  • Options table with environment, livelihood and economy columns

Value addition

  • CaseM.C. Mehta v Union of India (1987, Oleum gas): absolute liability for hazardous industries.Supreme Court, 1987
  • CaseVellore Citizens Welfare Forum (1996) adopted the polluter pays and precautionary principles.Supreme Court, 1996
  • ExampleSterlite copper smelter in Thoothukudi was closed in May 2018 after protests in which 13 people died in police firing.Tamil Nadu, 2018

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