Public Facilities Class VIII CIVICS

Q1. Why do you think there are so few cases of private water supply in the world?

Ans: 1. Profit Motive: Private companies operate primarily for profit. Providing clean, safe water at affordable rates for the entire population is often not profitable enough for them.

2. Affordability: If private companies take over, the cost of water increases significantly. This makes it unaffordable for the poor, depriving a majority of the population of a basic necessity.

3. Universal Access: Public facilities are meant to be provided to everyone regardless of their income. Since private companies focus only on those who can pay, they are not suitable for providing essential services like water on a large scale.

Q2. Do you think water in Chennai is available and affordable by all? Discuss.

Ans: No, water in Chennai is neither equally available nor affordable for everyone:

* Availability: Senior government officials in areas like Anna Nagar enjoy 24-hour tap water. In contrast, middle-class areas like Mylapore or Madipakam get water once every two to four days. Slum dwellers in Saidapet share a common tap for only 20 minutes twice a day.

* Affordability: Wealthy residents can afford to dig borewells, buy water from private tankers, or use bottled water. The poor, who cannot afford these alternatives, are left with the least access to safe water.

Q3. How is the sale of water by farmers to water dealers in Chennai affecting the local people? Do you think local people can object to such exploitation of groundwater? Can the government do anything in this regard?

Ans:

* Impact: The heavy extraction of water by dealers has caused groundwater levels to drop drastically in surrounding towns and villages. This has led to a severe shortage of drinking water and water for agriculture, affecting the livelihood of local farmers.

* Objection: Yes, local people can and should object because groundwater is a natural resource meant for the community, not for private profit at the cost of others’ survival.

* Government Action: The government can pass laws to regulate groundwater extraction, set limits on how much water can be drawn, and take legal action against unauthorized commercial exploitation of water.

Q4. Why are most of the private hospitals and private schools located in major cities and not in towns or rural areas?

Ans: 1. Profitability: Cities have a larger population of wealthy people who can afford the high fees charged by private institutions.

2. Infrastructure: Cities offer better infrastructure like electricity, transport, and communication required to run modern hospitals and schools.

3. Availability of Professionals: Skilled doctors, engineers, and teachers prefer living in cities due to better lifestyle facilities, making it easier for private firms to hire staff there.

Q5. Do you think the distribution of public facilities in our country is adequate and fair? Give an example of your own to explain.

Ans: No, it is not adequate or fair.

* Example: In a city, a posh colony might have well-paved roads, 24-hour electricity, and lush parks. However, a nearby slum may have no proper drainage, overflowing garbage, and limited access to electricity. This disparity shows that public facilities are often concentrated in wealthy areas.

Q6. Private educational institutions—schools, colleges, universities—are coming up in our country in a big way. On the other hand, educational institutes run by the government are becoming relatively less important. What do you think would be the impact of this? Discuss.

Ans:

* Increasing Inequality: High-quality education will become a privilege for the rich, while the poor will be left with underfunded government schools, widening the gap between social classes.

* Commercialization: Education might become more of a business than a service, focusing on profit rather than holistic development.

* Neglect of Government Schools: As the elite move to private schools, there is less pressure on the government to improve its own institutions, leading to further decay of public education.

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### II. Additional Exercises (Important for Exams)

A. Fill in the Blanks

1. The Constitution of India recognizes the right to water as being a part of the Right to Life under Article 21.

2. Public facilities are those essential facilities that need to be provided for everyone.

3. The most important characteristic of a public facility is that once it is provided, its benefits can be shared by many people.

4. The main source of revenue for the government to provide public facilities is Taxes.

B. Short Answer Questions

Q1. What is the role of the Government in public facilities?

Ans: The government’s role is to ensure that public facilities (like water, healthcare, education, and transport) are made available to everyone at an affordable price, ensuring no one is excluded due to poverty.

Q2. Mention two characteristics of public facilities.

Ans: 1. They are essential for survival and a decent life.

2. Their benefits are shared (e.g., a school in a village can educate many children).

Q3. Why is "Right to Water" essential?

Ans: Water is essential for life and health. Safe drinking water can prevent many water-borne diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, and cholera.

-III. Value Based Question

Q: Why should the government, and not private companies, be responsible for public facilities?

Ans: Public facilities are linked to the basic needs of people. If left to private companies, they would prioritize "profit" over "service," making these facilities too expensive for the poor. The government’s goal is "public welfare," ensuring that even the poorest citizen has access to basic rights like water and health.