CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 9: Public Facilities NCERT Solutions

Private companies are primarily driven by the motive of profit. Providing essential public facilities like water supply often involves significant capital investment and may not yield high returns, making it less attractive for private businesses compared to other ventures. Furthermore, the extensive infrastructure required to supply water to an entire population necessitates a level of investment that only a few private entities might be willing or able to undertake.

In Chennai, the availability and affordability of water are significant issues, and it is not equally accessible to all citizens. While some areas like Anna Nagar receive ample water, others, such as Saidapet, face severe shortages.

On average, the municipal water supply meets only about half of the city's needs. Areas situated closer to water storage points generally receive more water, whereas colonies located further away experience less supply. The burden of these water shortages disproportionately falls on the poorer sections of society.

The middle class can often mitigate water scarcity by employing various private means, including digging borewells, purchasing water from tankers, or buying bottled water for drinking. The wealthy segment of the population generally has access to safe drinking water. However, the poor are often left without adequate and safe water. Therefore, achieving universal access to 'sufficient and safe' water in Chennai remains a considerable challenge.

The increasing demand for water in cities like Chennai has led to private companies sourcing water from nearby towns and villages. These companies purchase water rights from farmers, often paying them an advance. In Chennai, a large number of water tankers are used to transport water from surrounding areas, impacting the local communities significantly.

The extraction of water for sale to urban areas creates a deficit for the local villagers, affecting their ability to meet their own needs for irrigation and drinking water. This practice also leads to a drastic drop in groundwater levels in these regions, potentially causing long-term environmental damage.

Yes, the local people have a right to object to the exploitation of groundwater resources in their area. They can raise concerns and seek intervention. The government has the authority and the responsibility to regulate the use of groundwater and can take measures to prevent its over-exploitation, ensuring sustainable water management and protecting the rights of local communities.

Private hospitals and schools are typically situated in major cities because the services they offer are often expensive. The high cost of medical treatments and quality education means that only affluent residents living in urban centers can afford to utilize these services. In smaller towns and rural areas, the population may not have the economic capacity to support such high-cost private institutions, making their establishment less viable.

The distribution of public facilities in our country is often neither adequate nor fair. There are significant disparities in the availability and quality of services across different regions and communities.

For instance, residents of major cities like Delhi often have access to a wide range of public facilities, including reliable water supply, healthcare services, sanitation, electricity, efficient public transport, and numerous educational institutions. However, if one travels just a few kilometers away to nearby towns like Mathura or Aligarh, people frequently face severe crises regarding public facilities. They commonly experience electricity cut-offs, water shortages, and underdeveloped public transportation systems. This stark contrast highlights the unfairness in the distribution of essential public amenities.

The increasing prominence of private educational institutions, which often charge very high fees, can lead to a situation where quality education becomes accessible primarily to the affluent sections of society. If government-run educational institutions, which are generally more affordable, do not maintain adequate standards or are perceived as less important, it can result in the weaker sections of society being deprived of quality education.

This disparity could widen the gap between the rich and the poor, as only those who can afford expensive private education will receive high-quality schooling, while the less privileged may be left behind, limiting their opportunities for social and economic advancement.