UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Tough stance on Kishau dam project led to victory in BBMB dues case: Sukhu

Q1. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Himachal Pradesh's claim to arrears of its power share from BBMB projects has been adjudicated by the Supreme Court rather than by a tribunal set up under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
  2. Under Article 262, the bar on the jurisdiction of courts over inter-State river water disputes operates by force of the Constitution itself, without any law made by Parliament.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q2. With reference to the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court under Article 131 of the Constitution of India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In a dispute between two States, the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction under this Article excludes the jurisdiction of every other court.
  2. The Article is attracted only where the dispute involves a question of law or fact on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.
  3. The Article does not extend to a dispute arising out of a pre-Constitution agreement that continues in operation after the commencement of the Constitution.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q3. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. In the Kishau multipurpose project, the cost of the power component is to be shared by Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand instead of being borne largely by the Centre.
  2. Central grant under the National Projects scheme is extended only to the irrigation and drinking water components of a project.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q4. Consider the following facts about the Kishau multipurpose project: it lies on the Tons in the hill States of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh; its stored water is to benefit downstream basin States including Delhi; its execution required an agreement among six basin States; and the Centre funds about 90% of its water component. Which of the following inferences can validly be drawn from the above?

  1. The consent of each upstream State is a source of leverage that it can use in negotiations with the downstream beneficiary States.
  2. The downstream beneficiary States will bear most of the project's displacement and rehabilitation burden.
  3. The participating States will carry no part of the project's cost.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q5. With reference to the institutional mechanisms for inter-State coordination in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Zonal Councils are statutory bodies set up under a law of Parliament rather than under a specific Article of the Constitution.
  2. The Constitution itself establishes a permanent Inter-State Council, and Article 263 merely prescribes its composition.
  3. Matters arising out of the reorganisation of States are among those on which Zonal Councils may discuss and make recommendations.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only