Insta– QUED ( Questions from Editorials. ) 27 July 2021

Solution: d)

Lok Adalat is one of the alternative dispute redressal mechanisms, it is a forum where disputes/cases pending in the court of law or at pre-litigation stage are settled/ compromised amicably.

Lok Adalats have been given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Under the said Act, the award (decision) made by the Lok Adalats is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all parties and no appeal against such an award lies before any court of law. If the parties are not satisfied with the award of the Lok Adalat though there is no provision for an appeal against such an award, but they are free to initiate litigation by approaching the court of appropriate jurisdiction by filing a case by following the required procedure, in exercise of their right to litigate.

There is no court fee payable when a matter is filed in a Lok Adalat. If a matter pending in the court of law is referred to the Lok Adalat and is settled subsequently, the court fee originally paid in the court on the complaints/petition is also refunded back to the parties.

Source

Solution: b)

The Supreme Court is empowered to issue writs including habeas corpus, mandamus, certiorari, prohibition and quo-warranto for the enforcement of the fundamental rights of the citizens.

The writ jurisdiction of the high court (under Article 226) is not exclusive but concurrent with the writ jurisdiction of the Supreme Court (under Article 32). It means, when the fundamental rights of a citizen are violated, the aggrieved party has the option of moving either the high court or the Supreme Court directly.

The writ jurisdiction of the high court is wider than that of the Supreme Court. This is because, the Supreme Court can issue writs only for the enforcement of fundamental rights and not for any other purpose, and that is, it does not extend to a case where the breach of an ordinary legal right is alleged.

Solution: a)

Nature of Cases to be Referred to Lok Adalat

1. Any case pending before any court.
2. Any dispute which has not been brought before any court and is likely to be filed before the court.

Provided that any matter relating to an offence not compoundable under the law shall not be settled in Lok Adalat.

Solution: d)

(A) Permafrost, glaciers, and ice cores – A source that slowly releases methane trapped in frozen environments as global temperatures rise.

(B) Wetlands – Warm temperatures and moist environments are ideal for methane production.

(C) Forest fire – Mass burning of organic matter releases methane into the atmosphere.

(D) Rice paddies – The warmer and moister the rice field, the more methane is produced.

(E) Animals – Microorganisms, breaking down difficult to digest material in the guts of ruminant livestock and termites, produce methane that is then released during defecation.

(F) Plants – While methane can be consumed in soil before being released into the atmosphere, plants allow for direct travel of methane up through the roots and leaves and into the atmosphere. Plants may also be direct producers of methane.

(G) Landfills – Decaying organic matter and anaerobic conditions cause landfills to be a significant source of methane.

(H) Waste water treatment facilities – Anaerobic treatment of organic compounds in the water results in the production of methane.

(I) Hydroxyl radical – OH in the atmosphere is the largest sink for atmospheric methane as well as one of the most significant sources of water vapor in the upper atmosphere.

(J) Chlorine radical – Free chlorine in the atmosphere also reacts with methane.

Solution: b)

The Supreme Court has reaffirmed its judgement in the Menaka case in the subsequent cases. It has declared the following rights as part of Article 21:

(1) Right to live with human dignity.

(2) Right to decent environment including pollution free water and air and protection against hazardous industries.

(3) Right to livelihood.

(4) Right to privacy.

(5) Right to shelter.

(6) Right to health.

(7) Right to free education up to 14 years of age.

(8) Right to free legal aid.

(9) Right against solitary confinement.

(10) Right to speedy trial.

(11) Right against handcuffing.

(12) Right against inhuman treatment.

(13) Right against delayed execution.

(14) Right to travel abroad.

(15) Right against bonded labour.

(16) Right against custodial harassment.

(17) Right to emergency medical aid.

(18) Right to timely medical treatment in government hospital.

(19) Right not to be driven out of a state.

(20) Right to fair trial.

(21) Right of prisoner to have necessities of life.

(22) Right of women to be treated with decency and dignity.

(23) Right against public hanging.

(24) Right to hearing.

(25) Right to information.

(26) Right to reputation.

(27) Right of appeal from a judgement of conviction

(28) Right to social security and protection of the family

(29) Right to social and economic justice and empowerment

(30) Right against bar fetters

(31) Right to appropriate life insurance policy

(32) Right to sleep

(33) Right to freedom from noise pollution

(34) Right to electricity