NCERT Solutions Class 8, Social Science, Civics, Chapter- 8, Law and Social Justice.
1. Talk to two workers (For example, construction workers, farm workers, factory workers, workers at any shop) to find out if they are receiving the minimum wages laid down by law.
Solution:
(a) Firstly, we talk about the farm workers who do not getting minimum wages in the villages.
(b) Secondly, we talk about women workers who do not getting equal wages as compared to men which is not permitted by law.
2. What are the advantages to foreign companies in setting up production in India?
Solution:
Foreign companies gain many advantages in setting up production in India. Foremost amongst these is cheap labour. The population boom in India has led to large scale unemployment, as a result, a worker’s worth in India is lesser because one worker can easily replace another. This also accounts for lower wages. Due to the workers’ vulnerability, companies cut production costs by lowering work conditions and increasing work hours. This trend is unfortunate because it has led to disasters like the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984. However, availability of cheap labour is a chief advantage for foreign companies in setting up production in India.
3. Do you think the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy got justice? Discuss.
Solution:
No, the victims of Bhopal gas tragedy are still fighting for justice.
At first, the company which owned the pesticide factory- Union Carbide (UC) refused to accept responsibility despite the wide-open, so many evidences of the tragedy. The UC got away after paying a bare minimum compensation to the survivors of this tragedy. Even after 24 years the survivors are still fighting for justice, for safe drinking water, for health-care facilities and jobs for the poisoned by UC. Their cases are still pending in numerous courts.
4. What do we mean when we speak of law enforcement? Who is responsible for enforcement? Why is enforcement so important?
Solution:
Law enforcement implies the government's responsibility as lawmaker and enforcer, to ensure obedience to its laws by everyone within the State that it governs. It is the responsibility of the government to ascertain that laws are not violated by anyone. Enforcement is important to maintain the democratic status of India; if foreign companies are allowed to maintain low working conditions, then this interferes with the Fundamental Right of the Right to Life, of a worker. Hence, enforcement is necessary to protect the pe
5. How can laws ensure that markets work in a manner that is fair? Give two examples to support your answer.
Solution:
Laws can ensure that markets work in a fair manner. The frequently upgraded Minimum Wages Law ensures that workers are not exploited and over-worked by companies that hire them. Also, a law keeping checks on the quality of production makes sure that sub-standard goods do not enter the market.
6. Imagine yourself to be a worker working in a chemical factory, which has received orders from the government to move to a different site 100 kms away from the present location. Write about how your life would change? Read out your responses in the classroom.
Solution:
I'am a worker of chemical factory. the business of our factory in going well the products which we made all like them and also help full for them. but a few days before we have a letter from government they want that we move to another place which is 100 km away from this factory.government write in there notice that the chemical which we made they effect the species which lived near to the factory and the waste of factory is going in river they effect the people life because the water which is used by them our factory chemical is mixed on it so they can not drink or use in other work. government want that we move to another place which is far away from species and no animal or human being effected by our factory chemicals. so we have to go this effects our life as the time taken by the factory to settle is too long so now we are unemployed and we can not do anything for our family this is hope that the factory settle soon and we started our work and make our family happy.
7. Write a paragraph on the various roles of the government that you have read about in this unit.
Solution:
The government plays a large number of roles in any state. In Unit five, the government’s role in the economic sector is explained. This includes providing public facilities like water supply, healthcare and sanitation and ensuring that these amenities are not overtaken by private enterprises; the government also plays a pivotal role in law enforcement, which is of utmost importance in the economic sector. The government makes laws to protect workers in production factories- laws on minimum wages, controlling working conditions and safety measures. It also makes laws for markets that protect consumers against over-pricing and sub-standard products. The government has a law against child labour and it also punishes organizations that do not follow policies put in place to protect the environment against pollution.
8. What are the sources of environmental pollution in your area? Discuss with respect to
(a) air; (b) water and (c) soil.
What are the steps being taken to reduce the pollution? Can you suggest some other measures?
Solution:
The sources of environmental pollution in our area:
(a) Air – transport and factories emitting more hazardous gases.
(b) Water – disposal of factories waste in Yamuna river, immersion of idols, throwing of garbage in Yamuna river.
(c) Soil – use of fertilizers and pesticidesfor cultivation.
Suggestions:
(i) Old vehicles should be banned. Diesel vehicles should be prohibited. Pollution norms should be checked strictly.
(ii)Factories should be shifted out of the town area.
(iii)Idol immersion, waste disposal in Yamuna river should be banned.
9. How was environment treated earlier? What has been the change in perception? Discuss.
Solution:
Earlier the environment was treated as a 'free' entity and any industry or even an individual could pollute the air and water without any restrictions. Whether it was our rivers, air, and groundwater - the environment was being polluted since there were no laws in this regard.
In the recent years and particularly the Bhopal gas tragedy has brought the issue of environment to the forefront. Now the perception has completely changed and the people have understood that the environment is something which the people over generations will share. There has been an increasing awareness among all that a clean environment is a public facility that cannot be destroyed merely for industrial development. The courts also gave a number of judgments upholding the right to a healthy environment as intrinsic to the Fundamental Right to life.
