Prelims 2012 · Polity and Constitution · Question 4
The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 was enacted in consonance with which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India?
- Right to healthy environment, construed as a part of Right to life under Article 21.
- Provision of grants for raising the level of administration in the Scheduled Areas for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes under Article 275(1).
- Powers and functions of Gram Sabha as mentioned under Article 243(A).
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Answer
1 only
1. Article 21 — The Supreme Court has read the right to a healthy environment into the Right to Life under Article 21. The NGT Act, 2010 aligns with this constitutional jurisprudence. Verdict: Correct.
2. Article 275(1) — This article deals with grants-in-aid for Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes welfare. It has no direct constitutional connection with the enactment of the NGT Act. Verdict: Incorrect.
3. Article 243A — This concerns the powers of Gram Sabha in village-level self-government. It is not the constitutional basis for the NGT Act, though local bodies may matter in environmental governance. Verdict: Incorrect.
Therefore, only statement 1 is correct.