THE CONTEXT: In July 2021, a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court partly upheld a Gujarat High Court judgment that struck down part of the 97th Amendment Act 2011 dealing with cooperative societies. In a PIL, Rajender Shah vs. Union of India, the apex court nullified Part IXB of the constitution in so far as it relates to State cooperative societies while the Gujarat HC has struck down the entire Amendment.  This article analyses various aspects of this judgment and its significance in the context of the increasing tendency of centralization of Indian polity.

THE SALIENT FEATURES OF THE 97^TH AMENDMENT

• The Parliament has enacted the 97^th Constitutional Amendment act 2011 that dealt with different facets of cooperative societies in the country.
• This Amendment brought in the following changes in the Constitution
• Art 19 1 (c) – the word “cooperative societies “was added. Thus, a Fundamental Right to form cooperative societies came into existence.
• Art 43B was added to DPSP. It provided that the State shall endeavour to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control, and professional management of cooperative societies.
• Part IXB inserted articles 243 ZH to 243 ZT. They provided for the powers of the Central Government and State Legislatures to regulate incorporation, elections, and governance of cooperative societies.
• For multi-state cooperative societies, the powers of regulation lie with the Central Government while States could control those having operations within their boundary subject to Part IXB.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES IN THE AMENDMENT

Although the Amendment was aimed at addressing the weaknesses and lack of accountability in the cooperative movements in the country, the manner of passing it has attracted judicial intervention. The problems in the Amendment are highlighted below:

AREA	THE EXPLANATION
SCHEDULE  7	List II, Entry 32 provides exclusive power to State Legislatures to make Laws for cooperative societies. The 97th Amendment restricts this power by limiting the State’s Legislative domain. For instance, the Amendment specified the maximum number of directors, the process of elections, auditing, etc.
ARTICLE 246(3)	It provides that States have exclusive legislative powers in matters falling under List II. Thus, the Amendment violates this provision.
368(2)	Any change in schedule 7 requires ratification by at least half of the States after the Parliament passes the Amendment by a special majority. But, the 97th Amendment did not conform to this procedure as ratification by the States was not followed.
LIMITATIONS IN THE CONSTITUENT POWER OF THE PARLIAMENT	It means the Parliament’s power to amend the constitution is not unlimited. This power is curtailed by both “procedural and substantive (for instance, Basic Structure) “grounds. The procedural requirements under 368(2) have been violated in the 97th Amendment.
DOCTRINE OF COLOURABLE LEGISLATION	It means what cannot be done directly cannot be done indirectly. The Amendment did not shift the subject “cooperative societies” into either List 1 or List III which could have enabled the Parliament to frame Laws in the said subject.  But this has not been done yet the legislative competence of States has been severely curtailed by the Amendment. The Parliament could not have legislated for “cooperative societies directly, but it did it indirectly by bringing in the Amendment.
PRINCIPLE OF FEDERALISM	Our Constitution has been described as quasi-federal in that there is a tilt in favour of the Centre vis-à-vis the States that have given the federal supremacy principle. Yet within their sphere, the States have exclusive power to legislate on topics reserved exclusively to them.
EXPERIENCE WITH 73 RD AND 74TH AMENDMENT.	Entry 5 of List II, 7th Schedule deals with the subject matter of legislation so far as Panchayats and Municipalities are concerned. Both the Constitution 73rd and 74th Amendments were sent for ratification and were ratified by Legislatures of more than half of the States. Like Part IXB, Part IX and IXA put restrictions on the States’ power to legislate on Entry 5 which necessitated ratification by the States.

WHAT SURVIVES IN THE 97^TH AMENDMENT NOW?

• The judgment of the High Court is upheld except to the extent that it strikes down the entirety of Part IXB of the Constitution of India.
• Part IXB of the Constitution of India is operative only insofar as it concerns multi-State cooperative societies both within the various States and in the Union territories of India.
• This means the Parliament can make laws concerning the regulation of multi-state cooperative societies that have operations in more than one State.
• Changes to Article 19 (c) and insertion of Article 43 B are not touched and remain intact.
• Thus, the Fundamental Right to form cooperatives and the duty of the State to take steps for effective management of cooperatives still exist in the Constitution.

THE DISSENT NOTE: THE DOCTRINE OF SEVERABILITY

The majority judgment by Justice RF Nariman (Justice BR Gavai concurring) invoked the Doctrine of Severability to hold that Part IXB of the Constitution of India is operative insofar as multi-State co-operative societies are concerned. However, Justice Joseph, in his dissent, held that the provisions of Part IXB dealing with multi-State co-operative societies cannot be saved. According to him, the Doctrine of Severability cannot be applied to sustain Article 243ZR and Article 243ZS to the multi-State cooperative societies operating in various States and Union Territories. Justice Joseph held that once the substantial provisions of Part IXB have been found unconstitutional, the other articles cannot survive.

The doctrine of severability: The doctrine of severability states that when some particular provisions of a statute infringe or violate the Fundamental Rights, but the provision is severable from the rest of the statute, then only that offending provision will be declared void by the courts and not the entire statute. In simple words, the unconstitutional and Constitutional parts of the Law can be separated. Then, the Constitutional part can be held valid which will enable the Law to survive.

The doctrine derives its applicability from Article 13(1) of the Constitution which says that the Laws which are inconsistent with the provisions of Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Constitution shall to the extent of that inconsistency be considered void.

This doctrine enables judicial review of pre-Constitutional laws also in that it widens the scope of the judicial review. Similarly, the doctrine also provides scope for saving the Laws made by the Legislature by upholding those provisions that pass Constitutional muster.

In the R.M.D.C v. the State of Bombay, the SC laid down the following principles concerning this doctrine:

THE PRINCIPLE OF LEGISLATIVE INTENTIONS	To find out whether the valid part of the statute can be separated from the invalid part, the intention of the Legislature is the determining factor. To find the legislative intent behind a statute, it will be legitimate to take into account the history, object, title, and preamble
THE PRINCIPLE OF INSEPARABILITY	In case the valid and non-valid parts of a particular statute are inseparable then it will invariably result in the invalidity of the entire statute.
THE PRINCIPLE OF INDEPENDENCE	When the statute stands independently after the invalid portion is struck out then it will be upheld, notwithstanding that the rest of the statute has become unenforceable.
THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY	In cases where the valid and invalid parts are separable but both of them were intended to be part of the same scheme, then the whole scheme will be invalid.
THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPLETENESS	Severability is to be determined by reading the statute as a whole and not specific provisions or parts.

SIGNIFICANCE IN THE CONTEXT OF INCREASING CENTRALISATION

There has been a tendency towards increasing the unitisation of Indian polity recently. It is held that the Union Government has been encroaching upon the legislative, policy, and administrative domains of the States. The many States have argued that this centralizing approach has disturbed the federal nature of Indian governance and is making the States “glorified municipalities”!  They provide few examples of this alleged encroachment which are briefly discussed below:

FARM LAWS ENACTMENT	Agriculture, Agri trade and market, etc are State subjects. But the Union brought crucial Laws through the colourable exercise of power.
NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY	States have not been consulted at all in its formulation and the governance structure proposed has no role for States
15TH FINANCE COMMISSION	The terms of reference to the Commission like whether revenue deficit grants are to be provided to States, making grants conditional on implementing the pet schemes of the Centre, etc have been criticized by States.
ISSUE OF GST COMPENSATION	States argue that despite the pandemic hitting their revenue badly, the Centre has not fulfilled the commitment to compensate the States under GST.
THE ELECTRICITY AMENDMENT BILL 2021	The Bill mandated that States privatize their DISCOMs, remove subsidies and provide for DBT and vesting the tariff deciding power with a central body etc (Although the Centre has earlier agreed to withdraw the Bill in the context of farmers’ protest, it has introduced the Bill in the just concluded Monsoon Session)
NATIONAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY ACT 2008	The NIA Act has been challenged by the Chhattisgarh Government in the SC alleging that the Act encroaches into the “policing” function. Police is an exclusive State subject and the NIA exercising the power of a police force is contrary to the federal division of subjects in Schedule 7.
DOWNGRADING A STATE INTO A UT	After the repeal of Art 370 and 35A, through the Jammu Kashmir Reorganization Act, the State of J&K has been downgraded into a UT.

In this backdrop, the SC judgment striking down the substantial portion of Part IXB has breathed new life to federalism. The SC held that exclusivity of State Legislatures over entries in List II of the Seventh Schedule is a facet of the quasi-federal nature of the Constitution. The Constitution is not unitary but quasi-federal in nature is part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution, the court observed.

Any significant addition or curtailment of a field of legislation in List II will amount to a “change” of the entry from the State list, requiring ratification of State Legislatures. As mentioned above, this judgment sets the background for hearing the challenges against the Farm Laws brought in by the Union. This judgment provides an insight into the philosophy of the thinking of the apex court.

If the sentiment expressed in this judgment is analyzed, then the court is highly likely to uphold the federal ethos in the Farm Laws case too, States believe. The importance of Art 368(2) which acts as the bulwark against legislative overreach by the Union and protects States’ interests has been reaffirmed by the SC.

It is noteworthy that the 97^th Amendment has been challenged by “citizens” and not by” States”. The court rejected the argument by the Union that no States have challenged the Amendment and thereby they (the States) have accepted it. The court observed, “When a citizen of India challenges a Constitutional Amendment as being procedurally infirm, the court must examine such challenge on merits as the Constitution of India is a national charter of governance affecting persons, citizens, and institutions alike”.

MINISTRY OF COOPERATION vis-à-vis THE SC JUDGMENT

In this backdrop, the striking down part IX in so far as they deal with State cooperatives has implications to the scope of the new Ministry of Cooperation. Because the executive power of the Union Government extends only to those matters concerning which the Parliament has the power to make Laws (Article73 (1)).

Likewise, the executive power of the State Government extends to those matters for which the State Legislatures have the power to make Laws (Article 162). In other words, the executive powers are co-extensive with the legislative powers.

So, going by the Constitutional scheme as explained by SC in Rajendra Shah vs Union of India, the executive power of the Union Ministry of Cooperation is concerning multi-State co-operative societies alone.

The Centre will not be in a position to compel the States to bring the laws relating to cooperatives in conformity with the Centre’s vision. Thus, as of now, this new Ministry may have to confine itself to administering the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act 2002. It can also set broad policy frameworks for cooperatives and persuade and incentivize the States to adopt them.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• The Union can re-enact the Amendment and get it ratified by half of the States as per Art 368(2). That cooperatives need reforms is not doubted by anybody and thus an approach based on cooperative federalism can herald new opportunities for the cooperative sector in India.
• The Union should not be seen as treating the States as mere appendages. States are independent constitutional entities in their own domains. Consultative and collaborative federalism is the need of New India.
• In a democracy run by a Constitutional system, adherence to procedures is vital for the Rule of Law and Constitutionalism. Thus, all organs of the State especially the Governments must follow them in letter and spirit.
• The principle “decentralise whenever possible and centralise whenever utmost necessary “must guide the Indian polity.
• Cooperatives have great potential to facilitate holistic socio-economic and political development in the country. The apex court decision must not be seen as a setback by the Centre in its approach to develop this sector.

THE CONCLUSION: This judicial review must lead to reaffirming the commitment of the Governments at various levels to be faithful to the procedural aspects of governance. At the same time, the esteemed objectives of providing a binding broader framework to regulate and develop the cooperative landscape must be pursued with greater vigour.

INDIAN POLITY, GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. GOAL PROGRAM

THE CONTEXT: Dr Teejan Bai, Padma Vibhushan awardee, addressed the Mentees and Mentors of the GOAL program on 9th October 2021 as part of the Inspiration Masterclass on GOAL Program. The GOAL Program organizes Fortnightly Inspiration Masterclasses through which inspiring personalities who can share their experiences on this platform and enable learnings for the program’s mentees are invited.

ABOUT GOAL PROGRAM

• Going Online as Leaders (GOAL) Program by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and Facebook India aims to provide skilling for tribal youth with a focus on enabling digital presence in addition to strengthening core skills to drive their professional-economical upliftment.
• The program intends to upskill and empower 5,000 tribal youths over the course of the next five years to harness the full potential of digital platforms and tools to learn new ways of doing business, explore and connect with domestic and international markets.
• It is designed to provide mentorship to tribal youth through digital mode and envisages to act as a catalyst to explore hidden talents of the tribal youth, which will help in their personal development as well as contribute to the all-around upliftment of their society.
• As part of the program, in addition to the core classes, fortnightly expert sessions are organized wherein distinguished leaders and experts from various fields are invited to interact with the mentees of the GOAL Program and guide their development through personal and professional experiences.

SOURCE: PIB

 

ENVIRONMENT, GEOGRAPHY AND AGRICULTURE

2. MEGHALAYA RIVER BACK FROM DEAD

THE CONTEXT: Acid mine drainage, run-off from coal mines led to contamination of Lukha river

A detoxing pilot project has brought a river back from the dead, the Meghalaya government has claimed.

THE EXPLANATION: 

• The Lukha — “reservoir of fish” in the local Pnar language — was considered toxic beyond redemption a decade ago.
• The Meghalaya Pollution Control Board had in its 2012 investigative report blamed the contamination on acid mine drainage and run-off from the coal mines.
• The Lukha river is in the East Jaintia Hills district, where most of Meghalaya’s rat-hole coal mines are located.
• The pilot project to rejuvenate the Lukha by using algae to remove toxic contents from the water has become a success. The detoxification process is called phytoremediation.

ABUT ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION

• Environmental remediation deals with the removal of pollution or contaminants from environmental media such as soil, groundwater, sediment, or surface water.
• Bioremediation uses microorganisms to degrade organic contaminants in soil, groundwater, sludge and solids. The microorganisms break down contaminants by using them as an energy source or cometabolizing them with an energy source.
• Phytoremediation technologies use living plants to clean up soil, air, and water contaminated with hazardous contaminants.
• Phytoremediation is defined as the “use of algae to treat wastes or wastewaters”. The algae comprise both the microalgae as well as the marine macroalgae, more commonly known as the seaweeds.

SOURCE:TH

 

INDIAN ECONOMY

3. COAL AVAILABILITY IS SUFFICIENT TO MEET POWER PLANT DEMANDS

THE CONTEXT:   The Ministry of Coal reassures that ample coal is available in the country to meet the demand of power plants. Any fear of disruption in the power supply is entirely misplaced.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The coal stock at the power plant end is about 72 Lakh tonnes, sufficient for 4 days requirement, and that the Coal India Limited (CIL) end is more than 400 Lakh tonnes, which is being supplied to the power plants.
• The domestic coal-based power generation has grown by nearly 24% in this year (till September 2021) based on a robust supply from the coal companies. The daily average coal requirement at the power plants is about 18.5 Lakh tonnes of coal per day whereas the daily coal supply has been around 17.5 lakh tonnes per day. Due to extended monsoons, the despatches were constrained.
• The coal available at the power plants is a rolling stock that gets replenished by the supplies from the coal companies daily. Therefore, any fear of coal stocks depleting at the power plant end is erroneous.
• Despite heavy rains in the coalfield areas, CIL had supplied more than 255 MT coal to the power sector this year, which is the highest ever H-1 supply from CIL to the power sector.
• Domestic coal supplies have supported power generation in a significant way despite heavy monsoons, low coal imports and a steep hike in power demand due to economic recovery. It is expected that coal supplies are set to be at a record high in the current financial year.
• It may be noted that the comfortable coal position in the country is reflected by the fact that the CIL has been supplying more than 2.5 lakh tonnes (approx.) daily to meet the demand of non-power industries like Aluminum, Cement, Steel etc. along with a supply of coal to thermal plants of the country.

SOURCE: PIB

 

4. LONG HAUL FREIGHT TRAINS

THE CONTEXT: Indian Railways has successfully operated two long haul freight trains, “Trishul” and “Garuda” for the first time over South Central Railway (SCR).

THE EXPLANATION:

• Long haul trains, which are twice or multiple times longer than the normal composition of freight trains, provide a very effective solution to the problem of capacity constraints in critical sections.
• Trishul is SCR’s first long haul comprising of three freight trains, i.e., 177 wagons. This train was started on 07.10.2021 from Kondapalli station of Vijayawada division to Khurda division of East Coast Railway.
• SCR followed it up with the running of yet another similar one named Garudaon 08.10.2021 from Raichur of Guntakal division to Manuguru of Secunderabad division.
• In both cases, the long haul trains comprised empty open wagons for coal loading meant for predominantly thermal power stations.
• SCR is one of the five major freight loading railways on IR. The bulk of SCR’s freight traffic moves in certain arterial routes such as Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada-Gudur-Renigunta, Ballarshah-Kazipet-Vijayawada, Kazipet-Secunderabad-Wadi, Vijayawada-Guntur-Guntakal sections.
• As a bulk of its freight traffic has to pass through these major routes, SCR needs to maximize the throughput available across these critical sections.
• Saving of path across congested routes, quicker transit time, maximizing the throughput of critical sections, saving in crews are the major operational benefits of running long haul trains, which help IR serve its freight customers better.

SOURCE: PIB

 

5. THE INVESCO-ZEE DISPUTE

THE CONTEXT:   India’s Zee Entertainment is locked in a legal battle with one of its biggest foreign investors, Invesco after it called for the ouster of the TV network’s CEO citing concerns around corporate governance. Zee has said it has tightened its governance processes. But the dispute comes at a fraught time for one of India’s biggest news and entertainment TV groups as it recently started merger talks with the local unit of Japan’s Sony Group Corp.

WHAT ARE INVESCO’S DEMANDS?

• Invesco’s legal filings show it wants changes at Zee in light of corporate governance and financial irregularities that have plagued the company and have even been flagged by India’s market regulator.
• Invesco’s Developing Markets Fund and it’s OFI Global China Fund LLC own a near 18% stake in Zee. They have suggested six new independent board members be appointed and remove Zee’s current CEO, Punit Goenka.

HOW DOES ZEE VIEW INVESCO’S DEMANDS?

• Zee on October 1 rejected Invesco’s request to revamp the board, saying that the move had legal infirmities.
• Invesco then took the battle to India’s companies tribunal, where it is trying to force Zee to call the meeting, saying Zee’s behaviour is “oppressive”. Zee has two weeks to respond, as per a tribunal order on October 8.
• Zee says that it has implemented corrective plans to address concerns raised by the market regulator and that it follows the “highest standards of governance”.
• It remains unclear which way the shareholders will vote if a meeting is called, but Zee’s founder Subhash Chandra, father of CEO Mr Goenka, has accused Invesco of plotting a hostile takeover.

IS THE ZEE-SONY DEAL AT RISK?

• While Invesco was pushing for a Zee shareholder meeting, the Indian giant announced its merger talks with Sony. The deal terms say Mr Goenka plans to continue to be the CEO of the merged entity, which will be majority-owned by Sony.
• Invesco has in Indian tribunal hearings said it’s not against the Zee-Sony plan, but its filing does criticize how the two entered into talks.
• The Sony deal would allow Mr Chandra’s family to raise their shareholding to up to 20%, from 4% now. Invesco added that it was “plainly an attempt to distract the general public” and stall the convening of a shareholder meeting.

SOURCE:TH

 

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

6. STATE VISIT OF PRIME MINISTER OF DENMARK TO INDIA

THE CONTEXT:  Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, hosted Her Excellency Ms Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark, during a State visit to India from 9-11 October 2021.

THE EXPLANATION:

• They agreed that India and Denmark are natural and close partners and agreed to enhance efforts for reforming and strengthening multilateralism and a rules-based international order, including freedom of navigation.
• The two Prime Ministers reconfirmed their commitment to an aspiring and results-oriented Green Strategic Partnership.
• The two Prime Ministers noted the immense potential of developing renewable energy in India and, in this context, welcomed the new manufacturing and technology investments from Danish companies in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
• The two Prime Ministers noted the active global collaboration on new green energy technologies, including under EU Horizon Programs and Mission Innovation, and emphasized the Indian-Danish collaboration for low emissions as well as in the planned joint call for research and development projects in the area of green fuels, including green hydrogen.
• As India and Denmark are Members of LeadIT, both Prime Ministers also agreed to pursue cooperation on hard-to-abate sectors in relation to the Leadership Group on Industry Transition.
• The two Prime Ministers confirmed the collaboration on initiatives to combat the global challenge of climate change, in accordance with goals set out by the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The Prime Ministers also agreed that global collaboration is essential for ensuring a sustainable post-pandemic economic recovery. The Prime Ministers discussed the upcoming COP26 in Glasgow and agreed on the need for concrete and ambitious results from COP26 and work closely together in this regard.
• The Prime Ministers expressed a shared ambition to expand the commercial cooperation within the energy to include e-mobility, offshore wind, and fuel technologies, including green hydrogen and green methanol.
• The two Prime Ministers noted that the UNLEASH initiative will be launched in Bengaluru, India, in 2022. This will support the role of the youth in fostering entrepreneurship necessary for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals.
• The Prime Ministers noted that the two countries shall establish collaborations between science agencies on the Indian side and the Novo Nordisk Foundation on the Danish side through matched contributions for research and development in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
• The two Prime Ministers decided to explore mutual recognition of vaccination certificates to ease travel between the two countries.
• MoU between Council of Scientific & Industrial Research- National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, India, Aarhus University, Denmark and Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland on mapping of groundwater resources and aquifers.
• MoU between Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru and Danfoss Industries Private Limited to establish a Centre of Excellence towards natural refrigerants for tropical climates with potential applications.
• The Prime Ministers reiterated the importance of strengthened multilateral cooperation to effectively tackle COVID-19, including the need to reform and reinforce the WHO and international emergency preparedness and build back better and greener.
• The two Prime Ministers shared perspectives on developments in their respective regions, including the problematic situation in Afghanistan and agreed on the importance of 1) Avoiding further regional destabilization; 2) strengthening regional engagement including regional trade and connectivity, and taking firm steps to counter radicalization; and 3) maintaining progress on fundamental rights.
• They committed to continuing support to the Afghan people, while underlining the need for inclusivity in Afghanistan, counter-terrorism guarantees and respect for human rights, particularly women’s rights, according to UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021).

SOURCE:PIB

 

7. 3^RDINDIA – UK ENERGY FOR GROWTH PARTNERSHIP – MINISTERIAL ENERGY DIALOGUE

THE CONTEXT:  The 3^rd India – UK Energy for Growth Partnership – Union Minister co-chaired ministerial Energy Dialogue for Power and New &Renewable Energy and Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) from the UK side.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Energy Transition was a major area of discussion in the dialogue and the Energy Ministers spoke in detail on the ongoing Energy Transition activities in their respective countries with a focus on renewables, including solar, offshore wind, storage, EVs, alternative fuels, etc
• The UK side presented a detailed summary of the significant ongoing work and the past work done in the last two years under the umbrella of bilateral cooperation which was appreciated and endorsed by both sides.
• The dignitaries welcomed the Roadmap 2030 for India-UK future relations launched by both the Prime Ministers during India-UK Virtual Summit on 4^thMay 2021 and identified various future areas of collaboration in line with the Roadmap 2030.
• The sides deliberated and agreed on a Forward Action Plan on Power and Clean Transport, Renewables, Green Finance and Clean Energy Research as part of the roadmap 2030, covering a range of topics including smart grids, energy storage, green hydrogen, charging infrastructure, battery storage and need of mobilizing investments in renewable energy along with other proposals under the multilateral collaboration.
• The dialogue concluded with both sides underlining the importance of international cooperation in securing affordable and sustainable energy for the world while setting concrete action plans for driving the clean energy transition in the Power Sector.

SOURCE: PIB

 

PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Which of the following pairs about environmental remediation techniques is/are correctly matched?

1. Bioremediation – Use of bacteria
2. Phytoremediation – Use of algae
3. Phytoremediation – Use of living plants

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 2 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

 

ANSWER FOR OCTOBER 09, 2021 PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Answer: c)

Explanation:

• Bhashan Char, also known as Char Piya, is an island in Hatiya Upazila, Bangladesh.
• It is located in the Bay of Bengal, about 6 kilometres from Sandwip Island and 60 km from the mainland.
• The island was formed by Himalayan silt in 2006. It spans 40 square kilometres.
•  Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are being relocated on the island.

[WpProQuiz 65]