Law and Social Justice Chapter Notes | Moral Education for Grade 6 PDF Download

Introduction

BS - VI Norms

• BS in BS VI stands for Bharat Stage, which are rules set by India to control vehicle pollution.
• VI means the sixth level of these emission standards.
• These rules limit the amount of harmful gases vehicles with combustion engines can release.
• The Central Pollution Control Board sets deadlines and standards for automakers to follow.
• BS norms are similar to European emission standards, like Euro 4 and Euro 6.
• These standards help measure how much a vehicle pollutes.
• The sector discussed is the automobile industry.

Laws to Prevent Unfair Practices

• Private businesses may exploit workers, consumers, or producers to earn more profit.
• The government makes laws to stop these unfair practices and promote social justice.
• Minimum Wages Act (MWA) sets the lowest wage workers must be paid, updated regularly.
• Laws ensure workplaces have safety measures like proper lighting, alarms, machine fencing, emergency exits, and working equipment.
• Specific laws protect women employees with adequate safety measures in workplaces.
• Laws set minimum quality standards for products like electrical appliances, medicines, and food to protect consumers.
• The ISI mark, given by the Bureau of Indian Standards, certifies that products meet quality standards.
• ISI mark is mandatory for items like electrical appliances, kitchen appliances, LPG valves, LPG cylinders, and automotive tyres.
• Laws control prices of essential items like foodgrains, sugar, and kerosene to make them affordable for the poor.
• Laws prevent factories and businesses from polluting air and water to keep the environment clean.
• Laws ban employing children under 14 in factories or homes to protect their rights.
• Laws allow workers to form unions to demand better wages and working conditions.
• The government must enforce these laws by inspecting workplaces and punishing violators.
• Many laws are based on Fundamental Rights, like the Right against Exploitation and Right to Life, which includes clean air and water.

Enforcing Safety Laws

• Most workers in India are in the informal sector with unstable and unsafe jobs.
• Workers often take dangerous jobs due to lack of options and prioritize work over safety.
• Many workers lack awareness of workplace hazards due to limited education or information.
• Foreign companies set up factories in India for cheap labor and lower costs, sometimes ignoring safety rules.
• Ignoring safety measures puts workers’ lives at risk to increase profits.

Case Study: Bhopal Gas Tragedy

• The Bhopal Gas Tragedy occurred on December 3, 1984, at the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India.
• A leak of toxic methyl-isocyanite (MIC) gas affected over 5,00,000 people.
• More than 8,000 people died, and many were injured due to the gas leak.
• It is considered the world’s worst industrial disaster.
• The company had turned off safety systems to save money, causing the disaster.
• There was no emergency evacuation plan, leading to more casualties.
• Union Carbide ignored safety measures to cut costs and gave minimal compensation to victims.
• Lower safety standards in India benefited the company.
• Accidents still happen in mines, factories, and construction sites due to careless employers.
• Stronger laws and better enforcement are needed to protect workers’ rights and safety.

New Laws to Protect the Environment

• In 1984, India had few laws to protect the environment, allowing industries to pollute freely.
• The Bhopal Gas Tragedy highlighted the need for environmental protection laws.
• The toxic gas leak affected not just factory workers but also many people in Bhopal city.
• After the tragedy, the government made new laws to prevent environmental damage.
• These laws hold polluters responsible for any harm caused to the environment.

The Environment Protection Act, 1986

• The Environment Protection Act, 1986, aims to protect and improve the environment.
• The Central Government can set rules for emissions, industry locations, and hazardous waste management.
• It ensures public health and welfare by controlling pollution.
• The government issues notifications to protect sensitive areas or provide guidelines.
• Violators face up to five years in prison, a fine up to ₹1,00,000, or both.

Hazardous Waste Management Regulations

• Hazardous waste is dangerous due to its toxic, flammable, or corrosive nature.
• Rules control the manufacture, storage, and import of hazardous chemicals.
• Rules ensure proper disposal, segregation, and transport of infectious waste.
• Rules help municipalities dispose of solid waste scientifically.

Vehicle Emission Norms

• Vehicle pollution releases harmful substances like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and sulphur dioxide.
• These pollutants harm human health and the environment.
• India introduced emission norms for petrol vehicles in 1991 and diesel vehicles in 1992.
• Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Standards, based on European norms, started in 2000.
• BS-IV norms were enforced in 13 major cities from April 2010 and nationwide from April 2017.
• In 2016, India decided to skip BS-V and adopt BS-VI norms by 2020.
• The government promotes eco-friendly vehicles like CNG, hybrid, and electric cars.
• The FAME India Phase II scheme encourages electric vehicle use by offering incentives and building charging infrastructure.

The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Act, 2010, set up the NGT for quick resolution of environmental cases.
• It handles cases about environmental protection, forest conservation, and natural resources.
• It allows people to seek compensation for damages due to environmental law violations.
• NGT has banned stubble burning by farmers to reduce air pollution.

Conclusion

• Laws are essential to protect people from unfair practices in daily life.
• Private companies may pay low wages, employ children, make low-quality products, or harm the environment for profit.
• The government must make and enforce strong laws to ensure social justice.
• People should know their rights and push the government and companies to act fairly.