Question

In the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, it should surprise no one that the National Green Tribunal has prohibited the sale and use of firecrackers during Deepavali in the National Capital Region of Delhi and in urban centres that recorded poor or worse air quality in November last year. The directions expand on Supreme Court orders issued in the past, and provide some concessions to cities and towns that have moderate or better air quality, by allowing "green crackers" and specified hours for bursting. These stipulations are to extend to Christmas and New Year if the ban continues beyond November. The NGT took note that Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Chandigarh, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and the Calcutta High Court had already responded to deteriorating environmental conditions by banning firecrackers this year. The tribunal's reasoning giving primacy to the precautionary principle in sustainable development over employment and revenue losses is understandable. As the impact of COVID-19 became clear in March, and there were fears of a case surge during the winter, it was incumbent on the Centre to work with States and resolutely prevent the burning of farm stubble ahead of Deepavali. This annual phenomenon unfailingly fouls the air across northern and eastern India, and imposes heavy health and productivity costs. In the absence of pollution from agricultural residue, there might have been some room for a limited quantity of firecrackers, although climatic conditions at this time of year, of low temperature and atmospheric circulation, would still leave many in distress. Only damage control is possible now, including steps to address the concerns of the fireworks industry.

Which of the following is true as per the passage above?

पर्याय

• NGT has given permission to burn the crackers with limited restrictions this year. 

• The Centre should have worked with States and resolutely prevented the burning of farm stubble ahead of Deepavali.

• Both NGT has given permission to burn the crackers with limited restrictions this year and the Centre should have worked with States and resolutely prevented the burning of farm stubble ahead of Deepavali

• None of these

Answer 1

The Centre should have worked with States and resolutely prevented the burning of farm stubble ahead of Deepavali.

Explanation:

It is stated in the third line of the passage's second paragraph that "COVID-19's impact became apparent in March. It was incumbent on the Centre to collaborate with States and aggressively prevent the burning of farm stubble ahead of Deepavali, as there were fears of a case rise over the winter".