Question

After the elections, Ghosh requested Chatterjee to sanction the land adjoining his factory, for expansion. However, the requested government land was a green belt reducing harmful pollution from the factory. Which of the following is the BEST option for Chatterjee in these circumstances?

• A. Chatterjee should approve the sale only after Ghosh plants a large number of trees around the factory and the city.
• B. Chatterjee should oblige Ghosh provided he recruits 20 locals as his employees on condition that they plant and maintain a tree each in their locality.
• C. As Ghosh is paying market rates Chatterjee should approve the sale with no rides.
• D. Chatterjee should approve the sale and ensure that the green belt is shifted to a different tract of land outside the city, purchased from the proceeds of the sale.
• E. Chatterjee should unconditionally approve the transfer of the land to Ghosh as a token of gratitude.
• A. Request Chatterjee to defer implementation of the green policy by 3 years, the time needed to make his factory green.
• B. Remind Chatterjee that it is for his clean image that people voted him and not for Bhowmick’s green policy.
• C. Warn Chatterjee that all industrialists will turn against him and despite his clean image he may be hated by the industry.
• D. Appeal to Chatterjee’s sympathy citing the potential loss his business will suffer if the policy were to be implemented.
• J. Threaten Chatterjee that he should not take his loyalty for granted as Bhowmick has invited him to join his party.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Identify the core conflict.
The green belt serves an essential environmental function by reducing pollution from Ghosh’s factory. Expanding the factory onto this land risks harming public health and the environment. Chatterjee’s decision must balance economic growth (factory expansion) with environmental protection.
Step 2: Evaluate the options.
- (A) Requiring Ghosh to plant a large number of trees ensures that expansion is balanced with continued environmental protection. This safeguards both development and sustainability.
- (B) Linking the sale to recruiting locals and tree planting is positive, but the environmental responsibility becomes too diluted and indirect. It doesn’t ensure adequate protection against pollution.
- (C) Approving solely because Ghosh pays market rates ignores environmental concerns and public welfare, which is irresponsible governance.
- (D) Shifting the green belt outside the city is risky: the city loses its protective buffer zone, and pollution levels could rise dangerously for local residents.
- (E) Unconditional approval would be unethical, as it disregards both environmental and public health responsibilities.
Step 3: Conclude.
The best compromise is (A), where expansion is allowed but only with strict environmental safeguards through compensatory afforestation around the factory and city. This ensures sustainable development.
\[ \boxed{\text{Correct Answer: (A)}} \]

Answer 2

Step 1: Identify Chatterjee’s motivation.
Chatterjee is motivated by his political standing and public image. The green policy comes from Bhowmick’s manifesto, but Chatterjee may adopt it if he believes it enhances his credibility. His clean image is central to his political identity.
Step 2: Evaluate each option.
(A) Asking for a deferment is practical, but it does not fundamentally convince Chatterjee not to pursue the policy; it only delays it.
(B) Strong argument — It appeals directly to Chatterjee’s electoral legitimacy. If he believes voters support him for his personal image rather than Bhowmick’s policy, he has no incentive to adopt the policy, making this highly persuasive.
(C) Warning of industry backlash appeals to fear, but Chatterjee is more concerned with public perception than industrialists’ approval.
(D) Sympathy appeals rarely work in politics, especially when broader public/environmental interest is invoked. Weak persuasion.
(E) A threat regarding political loyalty is confrontational and risks alienating Chatterjee further; least effective.
Step 3: Conclude.
The most convincing strategy is (B), as it directly links Chatterjee’s core strength (clean image) with voter support, thereby undermining the need to borrow Bhowmick’s policy.
\[ \boxed{\text{Correct Answer: (B)}} \]