Public Facilities | Civics VIII | Social Science | Class 8th | Questions and Answers |

 

JANDKNCERT | Class 8th | Social and Political Life (Civics)|

Public Facilities | Civics VIII | Social Science | Class 8th | Questions and Answers |

 

 

Chapter 9: Public Facilities

 

 

Exercises

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Question 1: Why do you think there are so few cases of private water supply in the world?
Answer:
Water is a basic need and human right. Most governments consider it their responsibility to provide water, as privatizing it would make it unaffordable for many. This is why few countries allow private control over water supply.

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Question 2: Do you think water in Chennai is available to and affordable by all? Discuss.
Answer:
No, water in Chennai is not equally available or affordable for all. While people in wealthy neighborhoods receive regular water supply, those in slums and low-income areas often rely on water tankers and pay higher prices, showing inequality in access.

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Question 3: 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 ground water? Can the government do anything in this regard?
Answer:
The sale of water by farmers to dealers depletes groundwater, leading to water shortages for the local people. Yes, local people can and should object, as it affects their basic rights. The government can regulate groundwater use and ensure equitable distribution through laws and monitoring.

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Question 4: Why are most of the private hospitals and private schools located in major cities and not in towns or rural areas?
Answer:
Private hospitals and schools are profit-driven and prefer cities because they offer better infrastructure, more customers, and higher income opportunities. Rural areas lack these advantages, making them less attractive for private investment.

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Question 5: Do you think the distribution of public facilities in our country is adequate and fair? Give an example of your own to explain.
Answer:
No, the distribution of public facilities is not always adequate or fair. For example, urban areas often have better electricity and water supply, while many villages still struggle with irregular power and poor roads, leading to regional inequality.

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Question 6: Take some of the public facilities in your area, such as water, electricity, etc. Is there scope to improve these? What in your opinion should be done? Complete the table.

Public Facility	Is it available?	How can it be improved?
Water Supply	Irregular in some areas	Install rainwater harvesting and repair pipelines
Electricity	Frequent power cuts	Upgrade infrastructure and increase supply
Sanitation	Poor in slum areas	Build more public toilets and regular cleaning
Roads	Damaged and narrow in places	Widen roads and repair damaged sections

 

Question 7: Are the above public facilities shared equally by all the people in your area? Elaborate.
Answer:
No, these facilities are not shared equally. Wealthier areas get better and more reliable services, while poorer areas face irregular supply and poor maintenance. This reflects inequality in the delivery of public services.

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Question 8: Data on some of the public facilities are collected as part of the Census. Discuss with your teacher when and how the Census is conducted.
Answer:
(Classroom activity) – The Census in India is conducted every 10 years. Enumerators visit every household to collect data on population, literacy, housing, sanitation, electricity, and access to water. It helps the government plan resources and public services better.

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Question 9: Private educational institutions – schools, colleges, universities, technical and vocational training institutes 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.
Answer:
The rise of private institutions may widen the gap between rich and poor, as quality education becomes expensive and inaccessible to many. If government schools are neglected, children from disadvantaged backgrounds will have fewer opportunities, increasing inequality in education and employment.

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