NCERT Class 8 Political Science — Chapter 6: Law and Social Justice

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With reference to principles governing environmental protection and liability, what does the Polluter Pays Principle imply?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AThe government pays the polluter to cease operations.
BConsumers must pay a surcharge to clean up industrial pollution.
CLiability of the polluting entity for remediation and damage costs.
DIndustries must pay a fixed tax to the government to operate.

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Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is

Liability of the polluting entity for remediation and damage costs.

Explanation

The Polluter Pays Principle is a fundamental concept in environmental law and economics. It mandates that the entity responsible for producing pollution must bear the costs of managing it to prevent damage to human health and the environment. In India, this principle is treated as an essential part of sustainable development and is statutorily recognized under Section 20 of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act, 2010.

Option Analysis

Industries must pay a fixed tax to the government to operate. is Incorrect: The principle is not merely about paying a fixed tax or fee to the government for the right to operate. It is a liability-based principle contingent upon the damage caused and the cost of remediation.
Liability of the polluting entity for remediation and damage costs. is Correct: The Polluter Pays Principle implies that the polluting entity is liable to pay for the harm caused. This includes the cost of compensating victims of pollution and the cost of restoring the environmental degradation. The Supreme Court of India has interpreted this to mean that the polluter is liable for the costs of reversing the damaged ecology.
The government pays the polluter to cease operations. is Incorrect: This statement contradicts the principle. The burden of cost lies with the polluter, not the government.
Consumers must pay a surcharge to clean up industrial pollution. is Incorrect: While industries may pass costs to consumers through pricing, the legal and financial liability for cleaning up industrial pollution rests directly with the polluting entity, not the consumers via a direct surcharge.

Key Takeaway

The Polluter Pays Principle establishes that the financial liability for pollution-including compensation to victims and the cost of environmental restoration-rests solely with the polluter, ensuring that environmental costs are internalized by the industry rather than imposed on society.

Your note

More from Chapter 6: Law and Social Justice

Consider the following statements regarding the regulation of markets and economic interactions: 1. Laws are enacted solely to protect the profit margins of producers without regard for consumers. 2. State intervention is often required in markets to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable groups. 3. The chain of markets linking producers to buyers involves buying and selling at every step. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

With reference to the concept of 'Minimum Wages' in India, consider the following 1. The primary objective of the minimum wage law is to ensure that workers are not underpaid by their employers. 2. Once set, the minimum wages remain fixed for a period of ten years to ensure stability. 3. This law is intended to protect the interests of various types of workers, including farm labourers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

In the context of the Indian textile industry, 'Power Looms' are best described as:

medium

With reference to the role of Workers' Unions, consider the following statements: 1. They allow workers to use combined power to demand better working conditions. 2. They are strictly prohibited by law in the informal sector such as domestic work. 3. They facilitate bargaining for fair wages. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

In the framework of governmental functions, which term refers to ensuring that laws enacted by the legislature are implemented and complied with?

easy

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Correct Option

The correct option is

Liability of the polluting entity for remediation and damage costs.

Explanation

Option Analysis

Industries must pay a fixed tax to the government to operate. is Incorrect: The principle is not merely about paying a fixed tax or fee to the government for the right to operate. It is a liability-based principle contingent upon the damage caused and the cost of remediation.
Liability of the polluting entity for remediation and damage costs. is Correct: The Polluter Pays Principle implies that the polluting entity is liable to pay for the harm caused. This includes the cost of compensating victims of pollution and the cost of restoring the environmental degradation. The Supreme Court of India has interpreted this to mean that the polluter is liable for the costs of reversing the damaged ecology.
The government pays the polluter to cease operations. is Incorrect: This statement contradicts the principle. The burden of cost lies with the polluter, not the government.
Consumers must pay a surcharge to clean up industrial pollution. is Incorrect: While industries may pass costs to consumers through pricing, the legal and financial liability for cleaning up industrial pollution rests directly with the polluting entity, not the consumers via a direct surcharge.