You are appointed as an officer heading the section in Environment Pollution Control Board to ensure compliance and its follow-up. In that region, there were large number of small and medium industries which had been granted clearance. You learnt that these industries provide employment to many migrant worker. Most of the industrial units have got environmental clearance certificate in their possession. The environmental clearance seeks to curb industries and projects that supposedly hamper environment and living species in the region, But in practice. most of these units remain to be polluting units in several ways like air, water and soil pollution. As such, local people encountered persistent health problems. It was confirmed that majority of the industries were violating environmental compliance. You issued notice to all the industrial units to apply for fresh environmental clearance certificate from the competent authority. However, your action met with hostile response from a section of the industrial units, other vested interest persons and a section of the local politicians. The workers also became hostile to you as they felt that your action would lead to the closure of these industrial units, and the resultant unemployment will lead to insecurity uncertainty in their livelihood. Many owners of the industries approached you with the plea that you should not initiate harsh action as it would compel them their units, and cause huge financial loss, shortage of their products in the market. These would obviously add to the sufferings of the labourers and the consumers alike. The labour union also sent you representation requesting against the closure of the units. You simultaneously started receiving threats from unknown corners. You however received supports from some of your colleagues, who advised you to act freely to ensure environmental compliance. Local NGOs also came to your support and they demanded the closure of the polluting units immediately.1) What are the options available to you under the given situation?2) Critically examine the options listed by you.3) What type of mechanism would you suggest to ensure environmental compliance?4) What are the ethical dilemmas you faced in exercising your option?
What the examiner wants
As head of a pollution control section, you face polluting small industries, threatened jobs of migrant workers, political pressure and threats. Answer all four parts.
Demand-wise check
- 1Options: close all units; ignore violations; graded action with time-bound compliance plans; shared treatment facilities; close only the worst offenders≈50 words
- 2Evaluation: environment and public health vs jobs and supply; rule of law vs livelihoods≈50 words
- 3Mechanism for compliance: online continuous monitoring, CETPs, third-party audits, public disclosure, environmental compensation (polluter pays), incentives for clean tech, worker protection during upgrade≈50 words
- 4Dilemmas: health vs livelihoods, duty vs personal safety, law vs local pressure≈50 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Where marks usually go
- Choosing immediate closure without considering workers
- Not suggesting a concrete compliance mechanism (part 3)
Draw this
- Graded action ladder: notice → plan → penalty → closure
Value addition
- PrinciplePolluter pays principle accepted in Indian law in Vellore Citizens' Welfare Forum (1996).Supreme Court of India, 1996
- ToolCPCB levies environmental compensation on violating units under NGT directions.Central Pollution Control Board
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Aakash Garg · AIR 5 · Page 31 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- A R Rajah · Page 43 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Abhishek Chauhan · Page 55 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Amrit Mahhapatra · Page 12 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 14 minutes, then get it checked.