Question
What is Public utility ? Explain Its features.

Answer

  • Introduction :
    • Certain basic needs are inevitable for general electricity, water, transportation, communication cannot be imagined.
    • It is the responsibility, of government to provide basic facilities.
    • The government of each country invests huge amount of capital and establish industries to provide such basic and inevitable necessities. These industries are called industries of utility.
  • Meaning of Public utility:
    • The organization providing inevitably needs, services and facilities with efficiency at cheaper rate is called "Public Utility".
    • The units of public utility are the units of water supply, electricity supply, transportation, facility, and vehicles for it, gas. drainage etc. primary needs supplier units.
  • Characteristic of Public utility :
    • Government Ownership :
  • Most of the units of public utility are owned by government.
  • In Gujarat in many cities private sector Torrent Power Company provide e electricity.
  • In the same way Adani Company supplies gas.
    • Huge Capital investment :
  • Public utility is required by entire public. Huge capital is required for production and distribution.
    • Monopoly Service :
  • If the quality of public utility service is weaker or inferior it affects general public.
  • So monopoly is given to such units. Such units are under-controlled.
    • Management :
  • Services of public utility are managed by Gram Panchayat, Taluka Panchayat, Jilla Panchayat, Municipality and Metro Municipality.
  • At state level transportation, post and telegraph, Telephone etc. services are managed by various departments state a government, or government company or government corporation and at central level it is managed by central government.
    • Need for punctuality and efficiency :
  • Public utility service is the most important for human life.
  • Regularity and efficiency is expected for these services.
    • Easy access :
  • Public utility services should be assessable front very near to tines residence.
  • It should be available at cheaper rate.
  • Public has to bear such hardships if they are available front distance.
    • Equality:
  • These facilities should he available without any discrimination of caste and creed, rich and poor, higher and lower community of society.
  • It should be provided equally.
    • Entry of Private Sector :
  • Initially all utility services were provided by government.
  • Now law has been amended and private units are allowed to enter.
  • Due to healthy competition it is expected that good services will be provided to die customer.
  • Government controls private units and makes sure that customer at not exploited.
  • Conclusion :
    • It is expected that quality and efficiency of public utility services will be wed if there is competition between government units and private sector units providing utility.

Need a full question paper?

Generate a complete, print-ready paper with questions like this in minutes — across 16+ boards, with answer keys.

Start Generating Free