Here are the questions and answers for the chapter “Law and Social Justice” included in the Class 8 NCERT Political Science textbook.
Answers to the Exercise Questions
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.
Answer: Do yourself (This is a practical activity. You can talk to workers and ask them about their wages and compare them with the minimum wage set by the government.)
2. What are the advantages to foreign companies in setting up production in India?
Answer:
Foreign companies set up production in India because:
- Cheap labour: Wages in India are lower than in developed countries.
- Longer working hours: Workers may work for longer hours compared to stricter labour laws in developed countries.
- Low operational costs: Fewer expenses on housing, safety measures, and employee benefits.
- Weaker enforcement of laws: Environmental and safety regulations are not as strict as in developed nations.
3. Do you think the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy got justice? Discuss.
Answer: No, the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy did not get full justice because:
- Low compensation: The government accepted $470 million, far less than the $3 billion demanded.
- Health issues ignored: Many survivors still suffer from respiratory diseases, cancer, and other long-term effects.
- No strict action against Union Carbide: The company did not take responsibility, and its chairman, Warren Anderson, was never punished.
- Pollution remains: Toxic chemicals continue to pollute the groundwater near the factory site.
4. What do we mean when we speak of law enforcement? Who is responsible for enforcement? Why is enforcement so important?
Answer:
- Law enforcement means ensuring that laws are followed and applied properly by everyone.
- The government is responsible for enforcing laws through police, courts, and regulatory bodies.
- Importance of enforcement:
- Protects workers from exploitation.
- Ensures consumers get safe and fair products.
- Prevents environmental damage by companies.
- Maintains justice and equality in society.
5. How can laws ensure that markets work in a manner that is fair? Give two examples to support your answer.
Answer:
Laws ensure fairness in markets by protecting workers, consumers, and small producers.
Examples:
- Minimum Wages Act: Ensures that workers are paid fairly and not exploited by employers.
- Consumer Protection Laws: Prevent companies from selling harmful or defective products.
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 km away from the present location. Write about how your life would change.
Answer: A sample answer is given here;
(Example response)
“As a worker in the chemical factory, moving 100 km away will be a huge challenge for me. I will have to leave my current home, and my family may not be able to move with me. My children’s education will be affected. The new place might not have good schools or healthcare facilities. I will also have to spend more money on transportation and housing. If I don’t move, I may lose my job, which is my only source of income.”
7. Write a paragraph on the various roles of the government that you have read about in this unit.
Answer:
- The government plays a crucial role in ensuring law and social justice.
- It makes laws to protect workers, consumers, and the environment. The government ensures that companies pay minimum wages and follow safety laws at workplaces.
- It also makes environmental laws to control pollution and protect people’s health.
- Additionally, it works to provide justice to victims, as seen in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy case. However, weak enforcement often allows companies to escape responsibility.
- The government must enforce these laws by conducting inspections and punishing violators.
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?
Answer:
(a) Air Pollution – Vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, burning of waste.
(b) Water Pollution – Dumping of sewage, industrial waste, chemical fertilizers in water bodies.
(c) Soil Pollution – Plastic waste, excessive use of pesticides, improper disposal of electronic waste.
Steps being taken to reduce pollution:
- Banning single-use plastic.
- Promoting CNG vehicles and electric transport.
- Creating waste treatment plants.
- Implementing strict industrial waste management laws.
9. How was the environment treated earlier? What has been the change in perception? Discuss.
Answer:
- Earlier: The environment was treated as a free resource. Industries could pollute air, water, and soil without any restrictions.
- Now: The Bhopal Gas Tragedy and environmental activism have changed people’s views. There are now strict environmental laws, and courts have ruled that a clean environment is a fundamental right. People are more aware of climate change, pollution, and sustainable development.
10. What do you think the famous cartoonist R.K. Laxman is trying to convey in this cartoon? How does it relate to the 2016 law that you read about on page 103?
Answer:
- The cartoon highlights the irony of child labor. A person hires a child worker while speaking about the cruelty of child labor, showing hypocrisy in society.
- This relates to the 2016 amendment to the Child Labour Act, which:
- Bans employment of children below 14 years in all occupations.
- Restricts employment of adolescents (14-18 years) in hazardous work.
- Punishes violators with imprisonment (6 months – 2 years) and fines (
20,000 – 50,000).