Civics Ch - 7 Public Facilities Social Studies - Civics Ch - 7 Public Facilities

What is the most important form of public transport over short distances?

Public facilities relate to our basic needs and the Indian Constitution recognises the right to water, heath, education, etc. under _______________ .

This summer may not be harsh for Chennai residents in terms of drinking water supply. The Chennal Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) hopes to maintain the present level of water supply as Krishna water from Andhra Pradesh Is set to be released to the city in May.
Source The Hindu
What Is/are the challenge(s) regarding water management in India?

Aqua water is a private company that provides water to residents and businesses in Chennai, India. It is one of the largest water suppliers in the city, with a fleet of over 1,000 water tankers. The company takes water from nearby towns and villages and pays farmers an advance each month for the right to exploit the water sources on their land.
Which of the following will this growing practice in Chennai most likely lead to in the near future?

What can be done to improve the life of the woman in the picture and other people who do not have access to a safe and reliable water supply?

Assertion (A) The government is not responsible for providing education to the people.
Reason (R) Education is essential for individual and social development.

Assertion (A) The right to water is a Fundamental Right in India.
Reason (R) The Constitution of India recognises the right to water as being a part of the Right to Life under Article 21.

Public facilities relate to people's basic needs.

The situation of water crisis is worse in urban areas than rural areas.

Right to water, health and education are a part of the Right to Life.

99% of Indian households have access to safe drinking water.

There should be _______________ access to water.

Safe drinking water can prevent many water-related _______________ .

About _______________ of Indian households have access to sanitation.

Every citizen has a right to _______________ facilities.

Providing adequate public facilities for everyone is a major role of the _______________ .

Why do you think that this would impact women and girls more acutely?

Do you think that lack of access to proper sanitation facilities affects people's lives? How?

Do you think it is also important to conserve resources like water and electricity and to use more public transport?

Find out the various kinds of taxes people pay to the government by talking to a salaried person, a person running his/her own factory/ business and a shopkeeper. Share your findings in the classroom with your teacher.

Pick out the various sources of water for household use from the description alongside.

Discuss the main ideas in the above section. What do you think can be done to improve water supply?

Do you think this would be a right step? What do you think would happen if the government withdraws from the task of supplying water?

Look at your water bill and find out what the minimum rate is for municipal water in your area. Does the rate Increase as the use of water increases? Why do you think the government charges a higher rate for greater use of water?

The government can get private companies to deliver some of the public facilities. For instance, contracts for building roads are given to private contractors.
Distribution of electricity in Delhi is done by two private companies. However, the government must keep a close watch on these and ensure that they fulfil their commitment to reach these facilities to all people and at affordable prices.
Why do you think the government must assume the overall responsibility for public facilities even when it gets private companies to do part of the job?

What are public facilities? Why should the government be responsible for providing public facilities?

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

	Is it available?	How can it be improved?
Water
Electricity
Roads
Public Transport

'The supply of water per person in an urban area in India should be about 135 litres per day (about seven buckets)- a standard set by the urban water commission. Whereas people in slums have to make do with less than 20 litres a day per person (one bucket), people living in luxury hotels may consume as much as 1,600 litres (80 buckets) of water per day.'
(i) What does the above paragraph represent about the access of water by different classes?
(ii) What in your view should be the action taken by the government to solve this problem?

Why it is important for government and private sector to work together to provide public facilities? Explain how it is possible.

How have private companies exploited the situation of water shortage in Chennai?

What happens when there is a great shortage of public facilities like water?

Should private companies be allowed to take over the task of water supply? Explain with examples.

"A public facility is one whose benefits can be shared by many people once it is provided. Examples include schools, electricity and roads. These facilities improve people's lives and contribute to economic development."
Discuss about the public facilities and their characteristics. Also provide some examples of such facilities.

What is the situation of water supply in different localities of Chennai? Is water available to all?

What is budget? Where does the government get money for public facilities? Explain.

Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow
Porto Alegre is a city in Brazil. Though there are many poor people in this city, what is remarkable is that it has a far lower number of infant deaths as compared to most other cities of the world. The city's water department has achieved universal access to safe water and this is the main reason behind the lower number of infant deaths. The average price of water is kept low, and the poor are charged half the basic rate. Whatever profit the department makes is used to improve the water supply.
The working of the water department is transparent and people can have a direct say in deciding which projects the department should take up. Through a process of public meetings, people hear what the managers have to say and also vote on their priorities,
Q. 1. Which of the following feature(s) is/are found in Porto Alegre?
(a) It has a far lower number of infant deaths than most other cities of the world.
(b) It has a large population of poor people.
(c) It has a universal water supply.
(d) All of the above
Q. 2. The water department of Porto Alegre has done a significant job by achieving
(a) universal access to safe water
(b) universal access to education
(c) universal access to healthcare
(d) All of the above
Q. 3. How does the water department of Porto Alegre utilise its profit?
(a) It is used to improve the water supply.
(b) It is used to fund other government programs.
(c) It is divided among the employees of the water department.
(d) None of the above
Q. 4. Which of the following is/are the primary reason behind the successful working of the water department in Porto Alegre?
(a) It is managed by a team of experts who are appointed by the government.
(b) It is managed by a committee of elected representatives.
(c) It is managed through a process of public meetings and voting.
(d) All of the above