Question 1: Choose the appropriate option.
a) The Budget of the government is publicly announced in ______
- i) The Parliament
- ii) The President’s office
- iii) The President’s office
- iv) All of the above
- Answer: i) The Parliament
b) Sulabh is a ______ organisation.
- i) government
- ii) non-government
- iii) private
- iv) public
- Answer: ii) non-government
c) The budget for administration of the country is presented in the ______
- i) Supreme Court
- ii) Parliament
- iii) Ministry of Rural Development
- iv) Private Industries
- Answer: ii) Parliament
Question 2: The following questions contain a statement of assertion (A) and a statement of reasoning (R). Choose the correct answer.
a)
- Assertion (A): Ensuring distribution of public facilities is the responsibility of the citizens of the country.
- Reason (R): Public facilities improve the quality of life of people.
- Answer: iv) A is false but R is true
Question 3: Match the columns.
| Column A | Column B |
| a) Article 21 | i) To prevent water-borne diseases |
| b) Sulabh | ii) Form the bedrock of many laws |
| c) The Fundamental Rights | iii) A non-government organisation |
| d) Sanitation | iv) The Right to Life |
| Column A | Column B |
| a) Article 21 | iv) The Right to Life |
| b) Sulabh | iii) A non-government organisation |
| c) The Fundamental Rights | ii) Form the bedrock of many laws |
| d) Sanitation | i) To prevent water-borne diseases |
Question 4: Answer the following questions in 10 to 20 words.
a) What do you understand by public facilities?
Public facilities are essential services like water, healthcare, and sanitation provided by the government for the welfare of all citizens.
b) What is the government’s primary source of revenue?
The government’s primary source of revenue is taxes collected from citizens and businesses, such as income tax and GST.
c) Why is the government responsible for making and enforcing laws?
The government is responsible because it represents the people and has the authority to maintain order, protect rights, and ensure justice for all.
d) Give any two examples of public facilities that can also be provided by the private company.
Two examples are schools and hospitals.
Question 5: Answer the following questions in 50 to 70 words.
a) Write a brief note on Sulabh.
Sulabh International is a renowned non-government organisation in India founded by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak. It is widely known for its work in sanitation and hygiene. The organisation has pioneered the design and construction of affordable and hygienic public toilet complexes, especially pour-flush toilets, across the country. Its initiatives have helped liberate manual scavengers, promote sanitation, and improve public health, making a significant social and environmental impact.
b) How does the government control the activities of the private companies?
The government controls the activities of private companies through a framework of laws and regulations. This includes setting and enforcing safety standards for workers and products, such as those in the Factories Act. It also regulates environmental impact through laws to prevent pollution. Furthermore, the government monitors company finances and market behaviour to prevent unfair trade practices and monopolies, ensuring that corporate activities align with public welfare and national interests.
c) What led to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy?
The Bhopal Gas Tragedy in 1984 was caused by a massive leak of methyl isocyanate gas from a pesticide plant owned by Union Carbide India Limited. The disaster resulted from gross negligence, including poor maintenance, failure of safety systems, and the storage of hazardous chemicals in dangerously large quantities. These managerial and operational failures, combined with inadequate government oversight, led to one of the world’s worst industrial catastrophes, causing thousands of deaths and long-term health issues.
d) Why did the government of India introduce new laws on environment?
The government of India introduced new environmental laws in response to growing ecological concerns and industrial disasters like the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. The primary objective was to protect the country’s natural resources—air, water, and land—from unchecked pollution and degradation caused by rapid industrialization and urbanization. These laws, such as the Environment Protection Act of 1986, provide a legal framework to regulate industrial activities, assess environmental impact, and ensure sustainable development for the health and safety of both people and the planet.
Question 6: Do you really think equal distribution of public facilities is possible? Give reasons to support your answer.
While achieving perfectly equal distribution is a major challenge, it is a vital goal that governments must strive for. True equality is difficult due to vast geographical areas, remote locations, and limited financial resources, which can make providing identical facilities everywhere impractical. However, the principle of equitable distribution is essential. This means ensuring that all citizens, whether in cities or villages, have access to a basic, acceptable standard of essential services like clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. This is not just about infrastructure, but about upholding every citizen’s fundamental Right to Life and dignity. Therefore, while perfect equality may be elusive, a fair and equitable distribution that meets basic human needs is not only possible but necessary for a just society.