CBSE Class 8 Civics Chapter 9: Public Facilities NCERT Solutions
This chapter from CBSE Class 8 Civics, 'Public Facilities,' explores the essential concept of public services and their accessibility. It examines why private companies often avoid providing basic amenities like water, contrasting profit motives with public necessity. The solutions analyze the availability and affordability of water in urban settings, such as Chennai, revealing inequalities across different areas and income levels. Furthermore, the chapter discusses how private exploitation of groundwater affects local populations and farming, touching upon citizens' rights to protest and the government's duty to manage these resources. These NCERT Solutions aim to foster student understanding of public facilities' intricacies, the significance of fair distribution, and the shared responsibilities of citizens and the government in guaranteeing fundamental amenities for everyone, serving as a vital resource for exam readiness and clear comprehension.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | Civics Social and Political Life III |
| Session | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Type | NCERT Solutions |
| Chapter | Chapter 9 |
Chapter summary
Chapter 9, 'Public Facilities,' focuses on the essential services that are vital for citizens' well-being. The NCERT Solutions provided here explain the challenges in providing public facilities, particularly water, by private companies due to profit motives. They analyze the accessibility and affordability issues in cities like Chennai, contrasting the experiences of different residential areas. The chapter also examines the consequences of groundwater exploitation and discusses the rights of local communities and the government's regulatory powers. These solutions aim to build a strong understanding of public utilities and their equitable provision.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the reasons for limited private involvement in providing public facilities.
- Analyze the availability and affordability of water in urban settings.
- Discuss the impact of groundwater exploitation on local communities.
- Identify the rights of citizens to object to resource exploitation.
- Explain the role of the government in regulating public facilities.
Topics covered
Paper topics
- Public Facilities
- Water Supply
- Private vs. Public Services
- Affordability of Services
- Water Scarcity
- Groundwater Exploitation
- Farmers' Rights
- Local Community Impact
- Government Regulation
- Citizen Rights
Important topics
- Reasons for limited private involvement in public facilities
- Water availability and affordability in urban areas
- Impact of groundwater exploitation
- Role of government in regulating public resources
PDF preview
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Questions and Solutions
Question 1
There are very few instances of private water supply globally primarily because supplying clean and potable water at an affordable rate is often not a highly profitable venture for private companies. These companies are typically driven by the motive of earning maximum profit. Providing essential services like water to all sections of society, including those who cannot afford higher prices, is a significant challenge for profit-oriented businesses. Consequently, private entities tend to focus on services where profit margins are higher or where demand is concentrated among affluent consumers who can bear the cost.
Question 2
Based on the information, water in Chennai is not consistently available and affordable for everyone. There are significant disparities:
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Areas like Anna Nagar, predominantly inhabited by government officials, often receive tap water for most of the day. Even during water scarcity, arrangements are made to supply them with water tanks.
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In contrast, other areas face considerable water shortages. For instance, residents in Mylapore might only get municipal water once every two days, and in Madipakkam, this frequency can be as low as once every four days.
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While water is a basic human necessity, its cost can be prohibitive for many. Wealthier individuals and families can afford to buy water from private tankers or bottled water companies. However, the poor often have limited access to water and struggle significantly with affordability, highlighting a clear inequality in access to this essential resource.
Question 3
The sale of water by farmers to water dealers in Chennai has several adverse effects on the local people:
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Reduced Groundwater Levels: The primary impact is the significant depletion of groundwater levels. When farmers sell water rights to private companies, it leads to excessive extraction, lowering the water table and making it difficult for local residents to access sufficient water for their daily needs.
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Scarcity for Local Use: This exploitation directly causes a shortage of drinking water for the local population, forcing them to rely on less frequent municipal supplies or purchase expensive water.
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Impact on Agriculture: The reduced availability of water also affects the farmers themselves, potentially leading to lower crop yields and impacting their livelihood.
Local People's Right to Object: Yes, local people absolutely can and should object to such exploitation of groundwater. Groundwater is a common resource, and its unsustainable extraction affects the entire community's well-being and future water security. They have a right to raise concerns about resource depletion that impacts their lives.
Government's Role: The government has a crucial role to play in regulating groundwater extraction and ensuring equitable distribution. The government can take several measures, including:
- Implementing and enforcing laws to control the excessive pumping of groundwater.
- Imposing penalties and fines on companies and individuals who exploit water resources beyond permissible limits.
- Promoting water conservation techniques and rainwater harvesting.
- Ensuring that municipal water supply is adequate and reaches all areas equitably.
- Setting up regulatory bodies to monitor water usage and prevent exploitation.
Common mistakes
- Assuming private companies will provide services based on need rather than profit.
- Overlooking the disparities in access to public facilities within a city.
- Underestimating the impact of groundwater depletion on local populations.
- Not recognizing citizens' rights to question resource exploitation.
Revision tips
- Focus on the reasons why private companies are reluctant to supply water.
- Compare the water availability in different areas of Chennai as discussed.
- Understand the consequences of groundwater exploitation for farmers and local residents.
- Review the government's potential actions to regulate water resources.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Why are there very few cases of private water supply globally?
Explanation: Private companies primarily aim to earn profits, and supplying clean water at affordable rates is often not as profitable as other ventures.
Q2. In Chennai, which areas are more likely to have consistent tap water supply?
Explanation: The text suggests that areas like Anna Nagar, where government officials reside, tend to have better access to tap water, even during scarcity.
Q3. What is a major consequence of farmers selling water to dealers in Chennai?
Explanation: The sale of water by farmers leads to the exploitation of groundwater, causing a significant decrease in water levels available for local residents and agriculture.
Q4. Who is most likely to struggle to afford water from private sources like tankers or bottled water?
Explanation: While the wealthy can afford to buy water tankers or bottled water, the poor often have the least access to water and struggle with affordability.
Q5. What right do local people have regarding the exploitation of groundwater?
Explanation: Local people have the right to object to the exploitation of groundwater resources, especially when it leads to scarcity and impacts their daily lives.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main focus of Chapter 9, 'Public Facilities'?
Chapter 9 focuses on the importance of public facilities, particularly water, and examines issues related to their availability, affordability, and the roles of private entities and the government in providing them.
Why do private companies often avoid supplying water?
Private companies are primarily driven by profit. Supplying clean water at affordable rates to everyone is often not as profitable as other business ventures, leading to limited private involvement.
What problems related to water supply are highlighted in Chennai?
The solutions discuss disparities in water availability, with some areas receiving regular supply while others face scarcity. It also touches upon the affordability issues for the poor and the impact of groundwater exploitation.
Can local people protest against groundwater exploitation?
Yes, local people have the right to object to the exploitation of groundwater resources, as it directly affects their access to water and can lead to scarcity.
What role can the government play in managing public facilities like water?
The government can regulate water resources, penalize those who exploit them unfairly, and ensure that essential services like water are available and affordable to all citizens.
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