Public Facilities and the Right to Water

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers essential concepts regarding public facilities, government duties, and the Right to Water based on Indian constitutional law and specific regional case studies.

Public facilities

Basic services provided for the public at large, used by everyone as per their need, including water, public washrooms, electricity, roads, schools, and public transport.

Fundamental Right to life

The right to water is considered a part of this right, as water is essential for good health and life.

Water-borne diseases

Diseases caused by contaminated water that result in approximately $1600$ deaths annually in India, most of whom are children.

Article 21

The section of the Indian Constitution regarding the Right to Life, which the Supreme Court ruled includes the availability of safe drinking water.

Mahboobnagar Case

A case in Andhra Pradesh where locals filed against a cotton industry for contaminating drinking water, leading the High Court to order the district administration to provide $25\,litres$ of water per person.

Government's role in public facilities

The duty to provide essential facilities to the people that everyone can access and afford, unlike private companies which work on the principle of profit.

Taxes

The primary source of money the government uses to provide public facilities, with income tax being a significant contributor.

Water availability in Chennai

A situation characterized by huge diversity where supply depends on affordability and proximity to storage points, often leaving poor people out.

Ground water depletion

A consequence of private companies exploiting farmers' land by making advance payments to extract water for tankers, resulting in shortages for irrigation.

Urban area water consumption standard

The amount set by commissions for urban areas, which is $135\,litres/day$ or approximately $7$ buckets.

Slum area water consumption

The limited amount of water available in slum areas, which is $20\,litres/day$ or approximately $1$ bucket.

Luxury hotel water consumption

The high volume of water used in luxury hotels, which is $1600\,litres/day$ or approximately $80$ buckets.