Correct Option (B):
Statement 2 is correct. Section 3(2)(iv) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, explicitly empowers the Central Government to lay down standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources, including industries and operations. This provision enables the government to regulate pollution levels effectively.
Incorrect Options:
Statement 1 is incorrect. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, primarily focuses on the Central Government's powers to take measures for environmental protection and improvement. It does not explicitly mandate public participation or empower the government to state its requirement, procedure, and manner in a broad sense within the Act itself. While subsequent notifications issued under the Act, such as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notifications, introduced provisions for public hearings and consultation, these are specific regulations rather than a general empowerment within the parent Act for public participation.
Option (A) is incorrect because Statement 1 is not correct.
Option (C) is incorrect because Statement 1 is not correct.
Option (D) is incorrect because Statement 2 is correct.