Loading PDF...
Chapter Analysis
Intermediate16 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
This chapter on Public Facilities discusses the importance of essential services like water, electricity, and sanitation provided by the government. It uses the example of water provision in Chennai to highlight issues related to availability and inequality. The chapter stresses the government's responsibility to ensure equitable access to these facilities as part of the Right to Life. It also explores the role of private companies and debates around privatization.
Key Topics
- •Importance of public facilities
- •Role of government vs private sector
- •Water supply challenges in Chennai
- •Inequality in access to facilities
- •Right to Life and public services
- •Case studies on successful public facilities
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the concept of public facilities.
- ✓Analyze the role of government in providing essential services.
- ✓Evaluate the challenges in equitable distribution of resources.
- ✓Debate the pros and cons of privatizing public services.
- ✓Relate the provision of public facilities to constitutional rights.
Questions in Chapter
What are public facilities? Why should the government be responsible for providing public facilities?
Page 92
The government can get private companies to deliver some of the public facilities. Why must the government assume overall responsibility?
Page 92
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?
Page 92
Find out the various kinds of taxes people pay to the government by talking to people in different occupations.
Page 92
Why do you think there are so few cases of private water supply in the world?
Page 98
Discuss whether water in Chennai is available to and affordable by all.
Page 98
How is the sale of water by farmers to water dealers in Chennai affecting the local people?
Page 98
Why are most of the private hospitals and private schools located in major cities and not in towns or rural areas?
Page 98
Do you think the distribution of public facilities in our country is adequate and fair? Give an example.
Page 98
Take some of the public facilities in your area, such as water, electricity, etc. Is there scope to improve these?
Page 99
Additional Practice Questions
Why is the role of the government crucial in ensuring public facilities?
mediumAnswer: The government ensures equitable access to basic facilities like water and sanitation crucial for maintaining public health and social equity. By controlling these services, the government can ensure that all citizens, regardless of their financial status, have access to the essential services needed for a decent life.
Discuss the challenges faced in providing universal access to public facilities.
hardAnswer: Challenges include funding, maintaining infrastructure, and addressing geographical and socio-economic disparities. It requires continuous investment and policy interventions to expand reach and maintain quality across various regions.
In what ways can private entities support public facilities while ensuring equitable access?
mediumAnswer: Private entities can bring in efficiency and innovation while the government regulates pricing and access to ensure that facilities remain affordable and accessible to all population segments, thus maintaining a balance between profit and public welfare.
Evaluate the impact of inadequate sanitation facilities on public health.
mediumAnswer: Inadequate sanitation leads to the spread of diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, increases healthcare costs, and disproportionately affects lower-income families, especially impacting women and children, thus hindering community development.
Analyze the socio-economic implications of water privatization.
hardAnswer: Water privatization can lead to higher costs, making it unaffordable for lower-income households, resulting in social inequalities. However, it may also lead to improved service delivery due to efficiency but must be coupled with government oversight to prevent exploitation.