In 1997, in the case of M.C. Mehta v. State of Tamilnadu, the Supreme Court of India ______________.

Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b) Gave detailed directions to stop child labour in hazardous occupations and processes

Explanation:
• In the 1997 case of M.C. Mehta v. State of Tamilnadu, the Supreme Court of India addressed the severe issue of child labor, particularly in hazardous industries like fireworks manufacturing in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu.
• The court delivered a comprehensive and detailed judgment, issuing several directions to state governments and central authorities to eliminate child labor in hazardous occupations.
• Key directives included compulsory education for working children, ensuring better working conditions, providing financial assistance for rehabilitation, and stringent enforcement of child labor laws.
• This case is a milestone in the legal battle against child labor in India.

Information Booster:
• The Supreme Court referred to Article 24 of the Constitution which prohibits the employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines, or any hazardous employment.
• The judgment led to significant reforms in the implementation of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.

Additional Knowledge:
(a) Ordered closure of industries in Tamil Nadu using coal for producing electricity: .
• M.C. Mehta has been involved in several environmental cases (e.g., the Taj Mahal case), but this specific Tamil Nadu case focused on child labor.

(c) Gave detailed directions to take care of the stray dog menace in Chennai Corporation: .
• This specific issue was not the focus of the M.C. Mehta case in 1997.

(d) Directed the Government to shut down factories producing fire-crackers: .
• The court did not order an outright shutdown of all firecracker factories but rather focused on the conditions and the elimination of child labor within them.