Class 8 Civics Chapter 1 Question Answers - Social and Political Life - III

Q1: How can you say that there are great inequalities in water use?
Ans: It is a fact that there are great inequalities in water use. The supply of water per person in an urban area in India should be about 135 litres (about seven buckets) per day. It is a standard set by the Urban Water Commission. But people living in slum areas have to do with less than 20 litres (one bucket) a day per person. At the same time people living in luxury hotels may consume as much as 1,600 litres (80 buckets) of water per day.

Q2: What do you mean by the term 'sanitation'? Why essential? Who are the people lacking access to it?
Ans: Sanitation mean provision of facilities for the safe disposal of human urine and faeces. This is done by construction of toilets and pipes to carry the sewerage and treatment of waste water. This is necessary so as to avoid contamination. Extremely poor people are lacking access to sanitation.

Q3: In some parts of the country water supply has been improved. Explain giving examples of Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai.
Ans: Mumbai. The water supply department in Mumbai raises enough money through water charges to cover its expenses on supplying water. In Hyderabad, a recent report shows that the department has increased coverage and improved performance in revenue collection. In Chennai, the department has taken several initiatives for harvesting rainwater to increase the level of ground water. It has also used the services of private companies for transporting and distributing water.

Q4: What do you think can be done to conserve water and improve its supply?
Ans: 

• Wise and judicious use of water is the most important step to conserve water. 
• Several initiatives for rainwater harvesting to improve ground water level needs to be taken. 
• It also requires the use of services of private companies for transporting and distributing water to ensure regular supply. 
• Every citizen of the country has the right to all the facility provided by the government in an equitable manner.

Q5: What does the Constitution of India say about the Right to Water?
Ans: 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.

Q6: 'The benefits of a public facility can be shared by many people'. Explain the examples.
Ans: 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 wall enable many children to get educated. Similarly, the supply of electricity to an area can be useful for many people.

Q7: Some people are of the opinion that private companies should be allowed to take over the task of water supply. Why do they opine so?
Ans: Some people opine that since the government is unable to supply the amount of water that is needed and many of the municipal water departments are running at a loss, they should allow private companies to take over the task of water supply. According to them, private companies can perform better.

Q8: Write a short note on “Water a part of fundamental Right to Life”.
Ans:

• The constitution of India recognized the right to water as being right to life as a part under article 21. 
• This means that it is the right of every person, whether rich or poor to have  sufficient amount of water to fulfill daily needs at a price they can afford. 
• There should be “Universal access” to water.