केंद्र सरकारला पर्यावरण संरक्षण कायदा 1986 च्या _______ अंतर्गत पर्यावरणाच्या संरक्षणासाठी आणि गुणवत्ता सुधारण्यासाठी आणि ते प्रदुषित होण्यापासून रोखण्यासाठी आवश्यक अशा सर्व उपाययोजना करण्यासाठी व्यापक अधिकार देण्यात आले आहेत.
(1) कलम 14
(2) कलम 15
(3) कलम 3
(4) कलम 13

The correct answer is Option C (Section 3).

Key Points:
• Statutory powers of the Union Government under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA 1986):
• Section 3(1) of EPA 1986 explicitly states: *"Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Central Government shall have the power to take all such measures as it deems necessary or expedient for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the environment and preventing, controlling and abating environmental pollution."*
• Section 3(2) details comprehensive regulatory measures, including setting environmental quality standards, emission/discharge limits, identifying restricted industrial areas, and inspecting industrial premises.
• Section 15 provides the general penalty for contravention of the Act.
• Therefore, the extensive preventive and remedial powers are conferred under Section 3 (Option 3).
• Key Takeaway: Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act 1986 empowers the Central Government to take all necessary measures to protect the environment.