Case Study Based Questions: Public Facilities | Social Studies (SST) Class 8 PDF Download

Case Study 1

Like water, there are other essential facilities that need to be provided for everyone. Last year you read about two other such facilities: healthcare and sanitation. Similarly, there are things like electricity, public transport, schools and colleges that are also necessary. These are known as public facilities. The important characteristic of a public facility is that once it is provided, its benefits can be shared by many people. For instance, a school in the village will enable many children to get educated. Similarly, the supply of electricity to an area can be useful for many people: farmers can run pump sets to irrigate their fields, people can open small workshops that run on electricity, students will find it easier to study and most people in the village will benefit in some way or the other.

Q1: What are public facilities, and what sets them apart from other essential facilities like healthcare and sanitation?
Ans: Public facilities are essential services like electricity, public transport, schools, and colleges that can be shared by many people once they are provided. Unlike individual services, these facilities benefit a larger community, such as providing education to many children or enabling various economic activities.

Q2: How do public facilities benefit society, and what are some examples of their impact on different sectors?
Ans: Public facilities have a widespread positive impact on society. For instance, schools and colleges contribute to education and skill development, electricity supports agricultural and industrial activities, and public transport improves mobility and connectivity, benefiting various sectors of the community.

Q3: What part do public facilities play in fostering economic opportunities and how do they contribute to socioeconomic development?
Ans: Public facilities play a key role in socioeconomic development. By promoting education, enhancing infrastructure, and offering basic services. They create an environment that facilitates economic opportunities, which results in the creation of jobs, better living conditions, and increased economic growth.

Q4: How are providing to the needs for various communities and making sure that public facilities to all of them are accessible create a more equitable and welcoming society?
Ans: By guaranteeing diverse communities’ access to necessary services, the provision of public facilities promotes social equality and inclusivity. It fills educational, infrastructure, and opportunity gaps, giving marginalised groups more power and promoting an equitable and cohesive society.

Case Study 2

Other public facilities such as schools and hospitals, private companies may well be interested. We have many of these, particularly in large cities. Similarly, if you are living in a city, you will have seen private companies supplying water through tankers or supplying drinking water in sealed bottles. In such cases, private companies provide public facilities but at a price that only some people can afford. Hence, this facility is not available to all at an affordable rate. If we go by the rule that people will get as much as they can pay for then many people who cannot afford to pay for such facilities will be deprived of the opportunity to live a decent life.

public facilities such as schools and hospitals, private companies may well be interested. We have many of these, particularly in large cities. Similarly, if you are living in a city, you will have seen private companies supplying water through tankers or supplying drinking water in sealed bottles. In such cases, private companies provide public facilities but at a price that only some people can afford. Hence, this facility is not available to all at an affordable rate. If we go by the rule that people will get as much as they can pay for then many people who cannot afford to pay for such facilities will be deprived of the opportunity to live a decent life.

Q1: What is the major issue pertaining tot the public facilities which are provided by private companies?
Ans: Private businesses contribute to the public amenities like hospitals and schools, majorly in big cities. The affordability of these facilities, is the primary concern because some people are not able to afford them, which deprives the people with limited financial resources of access necessary services.

Q2: What is the concern with private companies supplying water and other amenities, and how does it affect several segments of society?
Ans: Private companies supplying water or other public facilities may lead to unequal access based on affordability. While some can afford these services, others may be excluded due to high costs, posing challenges to ensuring universal access to basic necessities like water, education, and healthcare.

Q3: How does the affordability of private sector-provided public facilities affect the principle of equal opportunities for all citizens?
Ans: Affordability of private sector-provided public facilities can compromise the principle of equal opportunities. Equal opportunity is hindered when access to essential commodities depends on a person’s financial capabilities.

Q4: How should the government ensure that all public facilities are easily affordable by citizens? How does the availability of such facilities affect societal well-being?
Ans: Affordable public facilities positively impact societal well-being by fostering inclusivity and social cohesion. The government should take the lead in formulating policies, providing subsidies, and regulating private sector involvement to ensure that essential services are accessible and affordable for all citizens, promoting a more equitable and prosperous society.

Case Study 3

Water is essential for life and for good health. Not only is it necessary for us to be able to meet our daily needs but safe drinking water can prevent many water-related diseases. India has one of the largest number of cases of diseases such as diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera. Over 1,600 Indians, most of them children below the age of five, reportedly die everyday because of water-related diseases. These deaths can be prevented if people have access to safe drinking water. The Constitution of India recognises the right to water as being a part of the Right to Life under Article 21. This means that it is the right of every person, whether rich or poor, to have sufficient amounts of water to fulfil his/her daily needs at a price that he/she can afford. In other words, there should be universal access to water.

Q1: How does safe drinking water prevent diseases that are associated with the water supply? Why is water essential for life and health?
Ans: The foundation of life and a necessity for good health is water. Safe drinking water is essential for prevent disease like cholera, dysentery, and other water-borne illnesses such as  diarrhoea. These illnesses are the major cause a large number of deathsvin India, particularly young children.

Q2: What is the current water related issue in India. State some implications with regard to high number of cases?
Ans: India faces a substantial burden of water-related diseases, with over 1,600 Indians, mostly children under five, reportedly succumbing daily to these ailments. This clearly states that there is an urgent need to ensure access to safe water and prevent unnecessary death.

Q3: State how Indian Constitution safeguards the right to water.
Ans: The Indian Constitution recognizes the right to water as a part of the Right to Life under Article 21. This means that every individual, regardless of economic status, has the entitlement to sufficient water for daily needs at an affordable cost. Universal water access is vital to uphold this constitutional right.

Q4: Describe ways by which water-related diseases may be dealt effectively .While ensuring access to safe drinking water to all the citizens?
Ans: The government must carry out several policies and initiatives to guarantee access to clean drinking water to each and everyone. A few of these might be making investments in water infrastructure, keeping an eye on water quality, implementing community-based water management, and promoting hygienic habits through awareness campaigns.

Q5: How does ensuring the right to water for all citizens contribute to social equity and public health?
Ans: Ensuring the right to water fosters social equity, guaranteeing equal access to this essential resource regardless of economic background. This not only reduces water-related diseases but also enhances overall well-being and productivity, promoting a more equitable and healthier society.