7. Public Facilities

7. Public Facilities

  • 7

    Public Facilities

    Public facilities encompass essential services like education, electricity, and transport that benefit many individuals and promote community well-being.

  • 7.1

    Water And The People Of Chennai

    This section examines the disparity in access to water in Chennai and the implications on public health, equity, and fundamental rights.

  • 7.2

    Water As Part Of The Fundamental Right To Life

    This section discusses the essential role of water as a fundamental human right, emphasizing the government's responsibility in ensuring universal access to safe drinking water and addressing inequalities in water distribution.

  • 7.3

    Public Facilities

    Public facilities encompass essential services like education, electricity, and transport that benefit many individuals and promote community well-being.

  • 7.4

    The Government’s Role

    The government is responsible for providing public facilities essential for citizen’s welfare, ensuring equity and access for everyone.

  • 7.5

    Water Supply To Chennai: Is It Available To All?

    The section examines the disparities in water supply across Chennai, highlighting the unequal access to safe drinking water among various socio-economic groups.

  • 7.6

    In Search Of Alternatives

    This section examines the challenges of water distribution in urban India, highlighting issues of inequality and the need for government involvement in public facilities.

  • 7.7

    Extending Sanitation Facilities

    The section discusses the importance of sanitation facilities in preventing waterborne diseases and the challenges faced, particularly in India, regarding access and coverage.

  • 7.8

    Conclusion

    The conclusion emphasizes the government's essential role in ensuring equitable public facilities to fulfill basic needs recognized as rights under the Indian Constitution.

  • 7.9

    Exercises

    This section provides various exercises related to the provision and equitable distribution of public facilities, particularly water, in urban contexts.

  • 7.10

    Glossary

    The glossary provides definitions for key terms related to public facilities, sanitation, and government responsibilities.

    • Key Summary

    The chapter highlights the government's role in providing public facilities, particularly focusing on the access and equity of water supply in Chennai. It emphasizes the need for safe drinking water as a fundamental right and examines the disparity in access to resources based on socio-economic status. The importance of public health and sanitation is also addressed, pointing out the critical gaps in infrastructure and the impact of privatization on public services.

    Key Takeaways

    • Access to safe drinking water is recognized as a fundamental right under the Right to Life in the Indian Constitution.
    • There is a significant disparity in the availability of public facilities based on socio-economic class, particularly in urban areas.
    • Public facilities should be provided equitably, and reliance on private companies for essential services may deepen existing inequalities.

    Key Concepts

    • Public Facilities: Essential services and infrastructures such as water, sanitation, healthcare, and education that must be provided for everyone by the government.
    • Fundamental Right: Basic rights that are guaranteed to all citizens under the Indian Constitution, including the right to access safe drinking water.
    • Equity: The principle of fairness in the distribution of resources and access to public facilities irrespective of social class.
    • Sustainable Development Goal: Global goals set by the United Nations to address various social, economic, and environmental challenges, including access to clean water and sanitation.