Extra Question Class 8 Chapter 7 Public Facilities 

Short Answer Questions:

Q: What are public facilities?

A: Public facilities are essential services and amenities provided by the government for the benefit of all citizens, such as healthcare, education, water supply, sanitation, transportation, and electricity.

Q: Why are public facilities important for a society?

A: Public facilities are important for a society because they ensure access to basic necessities, promote public health and well-being, facilitate economic development, enhance quality of life, and contribute to social equity and inclusion.

Q: Name one public facility related to healthcare.

A: Hospitals or primary healthcare centers are one example of a public facility related to healthcare.

Q: What role does the government play in providing public facilities?

A: The government plays a crucial role in providing public facilities by investing in infrastructure, allocating resources, establishing regulations and standards, and ensuring equitable access to services for all citizens.

Q: How can citizens contribute to improving public facilities?

A: Citizens can contribute to improving public facilities by advocating for their rights, participating in community initiatives, holding authorities accountable, and promoting civic engagement and cooperation.

Q: What are the implications of inadequate public facilities on economic development?

A: Inadequate public facilities can hinder economic development by limiting access to essential services such as education, healthcare, transportation, and electricity, which are crucial for workforce productivity, business operations, and investment attraction.

Q: How can the concept of 'public-private partnerships' help in improving the quality of public facilities?

A: Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can improve the quality of public facilities by leveraging private sector expertise, resources, and innovation to enhance service delivery, infrastructure development, and operational efficiency. PPPs can also introduce competition, incentives, and accountability mechanisms that drive performance and quality improvements in public services.

Q: Name one international organization that supports the provision of public facilities in developing countries.

A: The World Bank is one international organization that supports the provision of public facilities in developing countries through financing, technical assistance, and capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, service delivery, and governance.

Q: How can decentralized governance systems contribute to better provision of public facilities?

A: Decentralized governance systems can contribute to better provision of public facilities by empowering local authorities and communities to identify priorities, allocate resources, and tailor solutions to local needs and contexts. Decentralization promotes responsiveness, accountability, and efficiency in service delivery, fosters innovation and local ownership, and enhances citizen participation and engagement in decision-making processes.

Q: What measures can be taken to ensure the sustainability of public facilities?

A: Measures to ensure the sustainability of public facilities include investing in maintenance and upkeep, promoting resource efficiency and conservation, adopting renewable energy sources, implementing user fees or tariffs to cover operational costs, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and fostering community ownership and stewardship of public assets.

Long Answer Questions:

Q: Discuss the importance of affordable housing as a public facility in urban areas.

A: Affordable housing as a public facility is essential in urban areas to address housing shortages, homelessness, and slum conditions. Access to affordable housing promotes social inclusion, improves living standards, enhances community well-being, and contributes to sustainable urban development. Affordable housing policies and programs can help reduce inequalities, provide shelter security, and create vibrant and inclusive cities.

Q: Explain the concept of 'universal access' in the context of public facilities.

A: Universal access refers to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic status, location, or identity, have equal opportunities to access essential public facilities and services. Universal access promotes equity, social justice, and human rights by eliminating barriers and discrimination, expanding coverage, and prioritizing the needs of marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Q: Discuss the role of community participation in improving the delivery of public facilities.

A: Community participation plays a crucial role in improving the delivery of public facilities by empowering communities to identify their needs, prioritize solutions, and participate in decision-making processes. Community involvement fosters ownership, accountability, and sustainability of public facilities, enhances trust between citizens and authorities, and promotes social cohesion and resilience. Engaging communities as partners strengthens service delivery, ensures responsiveness to local contexts, and fosters inclusive and participatory governance.

Q: Discuss the challenges and opportunities of providing public facilities in rural areas.

A: Providing public facilities in rural areas presents challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to services, geographic isolation, and resource constraints. However, there are also opportunities to leverage decentralized governance, community participation, and innovative solutions such as technology, community-based organizations, and public-private partnerships to overcome these challenges and improve service delivery in rural areas.

Q: Explain the concept of 'rights-based approach' to public facilities provision.

A: A rights-based approach to public facilities provision emphasizes the fulfillment of human rights, including the rights to education, healthcare, water, sanitation, and housing, as enshrined in international human rights instruments and national constitutions. This approach prioritizes equity, non-discrimination, participation, and accountability, ensuring that public facilities are accessible, affordable, and of adequate quality for all individuals, particularly marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Q: Discuss the role of gender-sensitive planning in enhancing public facilities provision.

A: Gender-sensitive planning recognizes and addresses the different needs, priorities, and experiences of women, men, and gender-diverse individuals in public facilities provision. It involves considering factors such as safety, accessibility, affordability, and cultural norms in designing and implementing public services to ensure they are inclusive and responsive to gender dynamics. Gender-sensitive planning promotes women's empowerment, social inclusion, and gender equality, contributing to more effective and equitable provision of public facilities.

Q: How does inadequate sanitation infrastructure affect public health?

A: Inadequate sanitation infrastructure can lead to the spread of diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid, contributing to poor public health outcomes. Lack of access to sanitation facilities increases the risk of water contamination, foodborne illnesses, and vector-borne diseases, impacting the well-being and productivity of individuals and communities.

Q: Name one government scheme aimed at improving public facilities in India.

A: The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) is a government scheme aimed at improving sanitation facilities and promoting cleanliness across India.

Q: What role do international aid and cooperation play in supporting the provision of public facilities in developing countries?

A: International aid and cooperation play a significant role in supporting the provision of public facilities in developing countries by providing financial assistance, technical expertise, and capacity-building support to strengthen infrastructure, service delivery systems, and governance mechanisms. International aid can help address funding gaps, build local capacity, and promote sustainable development outcomes in areas such as healthcare, education, water supply, and sanitation.

Q: How can innovative financing mechanisms help improve public facilities provision?

A: Innovative financing mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships (PPPs), impact bonds, crowdfunding, and social impact investing, can help mobilize additional resources, attract private sector investment, and leverage funds for public facilities provision. These mechanisms promote efficiency, accountability, and sustainability in service delivery, while also expanding access to essential services for underserved populations.

Q: What are some examples of community-driven initiatives to improve public facilities?

A: Community-driven initiatives to improve public facilities include neighborhood clean-up drives, community health campaigns, participatory budgeting processes, citizen monitoring of service delivery, and grassroots organizations advocating for better infrastructure and services. These initiatives empower communities to take ownership of their development, mobilize resources, and collaborate with local authorities to address their needs and priorities.

Q: Discuss the role of technology in enhancing the accessibility and quality of public facilities.

A: Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing the accessibility and quality of public facilities by facilitating digital platforms for service delivery, data collection and analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and communication with citizens. Examples include e-governance portals for online service requests, mobile applications for healthcare consultations, and remote sensing technologies for water resource management. Technology improves efficiency, transparency, and accountability in service provision, while also expanding access and improving outcomes for users.

Q: Explain the concept of 'inclusive infrastructure' and its importance in public facilities provision.

A: Inclusive infrastructure refers to designing and implementing infrastructure projects in a way that considers the diverse needs, preferences, and vulnerabilities of all individuals, particularly marginalized and vulnerable groups. Inclusive infrastructure promotes accessibility, safety, and usability for everyone, regardless of age, gender, ability, or socio-economic status. By prioritizing inclusivity, public facilities provision can ensure equitable access, reduce disparities, and enhance social cohesion and resilience in communities.

Q: Discuss the role of public awareness and behavior change campaigns in promoting the use and maintenance of public facilities.

A: Public awareness and behavior change campaigns play a crucial role in promoting the use and maintenance of public facilities by raising awareness about their importance, educating users about proper usage and hygiene practices, and fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility among communities. These campaigns leverage various communication channels and outreach strategies to engage citizens, change attitudes and behaviors, and promote sustainable use of public resources and infrastructure.