(i) Choose an iss

Bhopal Gas Tragedy

Facts of the case:

• The tragedy happened during the midnight of 2-3 December 1984.

• It happened at Union Carbide India Limited.

• An estimated 40 tonnes of Methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas was leaked from the plant.

• Official records sate that the Bhopal gas tragedy has killed 3,787 people.

• Others estimate around 5,50,000 injuries or permanently disabling injuries .

My arguments:

• The tragedy could have been caused due to negligence.

• It could have been caused due to sabotage.

• Delay in diagnosis and treatment at the hospital could have spiked the death rate. This could have been due to ignorance about industrial disasters.

• The public could have delayed going to the hospital until the last minute.

A possible settlement:

• There should be strict adherence to standards set for industries and regular inspection on the same.

• Periodic maintenance checks should be conducted on crucial industrial equipment

• Adequate security should be employed for important industrial equipment

• Hospital staff should be aware of possible industrial disasters and equipped to handle the same.

• Public awareness should be created on industrial disasters .

Narmada Dam Project

Facts of the case:

• Narmada dam project, also known as Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) is the largest structure to be built across the Narmada river.

• It is one of the 30 dams planned on the Narmada River.

• The dam is 1.2-km-long and 163 metres deep.

My arguments:

Pros

• The dam is expected to provide irrigation to farmers and drinking water supply.

• The dam will produce hydroelectricity, which will be shared between Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra

Cons

• The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA), a social movement, led by social activist Medha Patkar, raises several environmental and social concerns due to the dam.

• Nearly 40,000 people could be displaced.

• Lower-lying villages could be submerged.

A possible settlement:

• Displaced people should be suitably relocated and rehabilitated.

• Social and environmental impact of the dam on the people and the land should be studied carefully.

• The expected benefits of the dam, like irrigation to the farmer should be planned and executed in a way that benefits the farmers.

• The electricity produced should be evacuated and distributed as planned.