CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 10: Law and Social Justice NCERT Solutions

Foreign companies find setting up production in India advantageous primarily due to the availability of cheap labor. Compared to many other countries, the wages paid to workers in India are significantly lower. This allows foreign companies to employ workers for longer hours at a lower cost. Additionally, the expenses related to providing facilities like housing for workers are also generally fewer in India. Consequently, these cost savings enable foreign companies to increase their profit margins.

The victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy did not receive adequate justice. The disaster, which occurred due to gross negligence in safety measures by the factory's management, resulted in widespread suffering. Although the government of India legally represented the affected people and demanded $3 billion in compensation, it ultimately had to accept a much smaller amount of $470 million from the company. Even 24 years after the incident, the people of Bhopal were still fighting for justice, indicating a significant failure in achieving timely and complete justice.

Law enforcement refers to the process of compelling obedience to a law. It is the responsibility of the government to enforce the laws that are passed. Laws are crucial because without enforcement, the intended benefits of these laws would not reach the citizens. By enforcing laws, the government can regulate the actions of individuals and private companies, thereby ensuring social justice. Enforcement becomes even more critical when laws are designed to protect weaker sections of society from exploitation by more powerful entities.

Laws can ensure fair markets by regulating the prices of essential commodities and guaranteeing the quality of products. For instance, the government has enacted laws to prevent the excessive pricing of essential goods like food grains, sugar, and kerosene, making them accessible to the poor. Furthermore, laws like the Consumers' Protection Act safeguard consumers against the sale of sub-standard products. Certifications such as 'Hallmark' for gold ornaments and 'Agmark' for food products help consumers identify and purchase goods of assured quality, promoting fairness and trust in the marketplace.

The government plays a multifaceted role in ensuring social justice and protecting its citizens. It enacts laws to prevent the exploitation of workers, such as the Payment of Wages Act, Minimum Wages Act, and Payment of Bonus Act, which ensure fair remuneration. The Factories Act, 1948, regulates working conditions, including health, safety, and welfare in factories, enforced by State Governments. The government also protects consumers through the Consumer Protection Act, preventing risks from poor-quality products, with organizations like the Bureau of Indian Standards overseeing quality. Laws are in place to keep essential product prices reasonable and to protect the environment via the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Additionally, laws like the Prohibition of Employment of Young Children protect children from exploitation, and the Trade Unions Act, 1926, facilitates the organization of labor for collective bargaining.

Earlier, particularly before 1984, India had very few laws to protect the environment, and those that existed were not strictly enforced. Industries often discharged waste into water bodies, rendering them unfit for consumption, and factories polluted the air with smoke, creating significant health hazards. The Bhopal disaster brought the issue of environmental pollution into sharp focus, revealing the inadequacy of existing laws to protect citizens from industrial disasters. This led to increased advocacy by environmental activists and the public for stronger environmental safety laws. In response, the government introduced new legislation holding polluters accountable for environmental damage. This shift reflects a changed perception where environmental protection is now recognized as crucial for public health and is linked to the Fundamental Right to Life, which includes the right to a pollution-free environment.

The cartoon by R.K. Laxman depicts a young, underprivileged boy carrying books for a more affluent child who is going to school. This imagery strongly suggests the exploitation of young children in workplaces. The cartoon highlights how children, who should be in school receiving education, are instead made to work long hours for meager wages, being denied their fundamental right to education. This situation directly relates to the Child Labour Prevention Act, passed by the government, which prohibits the employment of any child who has not completed their fourteenth year in factories or other establishments. The law aims to protect these children from exploitation and ensure they have the opportunity for education and a better future.