NCERT Solutions for 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.

Ans: To understand how minimum wage laws are applied, I spoke with two workers: a construction worker named Raj and a farm worker named Meena.

Raj (Construction Worker):

Raj works on construction sites and shared that he does not always receive the minimum wage set by law. He often works long hours but is paid less than the legal minimum. Raj feels his pay is unfair given the hard work and risks involved in his job.

Meena (Farm Worker):

Meena works on a farm and also reported that she does not receive the minimum wage. She mentioned that her employer pays her less than the legal requirement, despite the physically demanding nature of her work. Meena struggles to make ends meet with her low income.

These conversations reveal that minimum wage laws are not always enforced, leaving workers like Raj and Meena without the fair compensation and protection they deserve. This highlights the gap between legal provisions and actual practices in the labour market.

2. What are the advantages to foreign companies in setting up production in India?

Ans: The following are the benefits to foreign corporations of setting up production in India:

(i) Low-cost labour: Wages paid to workers in the United States are significantly greater than those paid to workers in India. Foreign enterprises make the Indian workers work more and pay less money. Additional costs, such as housing for workers, are also reduced. As a result, businesses can save money while increasing earnings. 

(ii) Cost-cutting: Cost-cutting can also be accomplished through more hazardous methods. In India, cost-cutting methods include working conditions that include fewer safety precautions. As a result, global corporations seek to establish manufacturing operations in India.

3. Do you think the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy got justice? Discuss.

Ans: No, the Bhopal gas tragedy victims are still seeking justice.

Despite the wide-open, so much evidence of the disaster, the firm that controlled the pesticide factory, Union Carbide (UC), first refused to acknowledge responsibility. After giving the bare minimum in compensation to the survivors of this catastrophe, UC got away with it. Survivors are still battling for justice, safe drinking water, healthcare facilities, and jobs for people poisoned by UC after 24 years. Their cases are still pending in several courts around the country.

4. What do we mean when we speak of law enforcement? Who is responsible for enforcement? Why is enforcement so important?

Ans: Law enforcement is the activity of some members of the government who work together to enforce the law by identifying, discouraging, rehabilitating, or punishing those who break society's laws and standards. It is the government's job to ensure that laws are not broken by anyone. 

Enforcement is critical to maintaining India's democratic status; if foreign corporations set up low-wage, unsafe working conditions, this infringes on the Fundamental Right to Life of a worker. With more industries being established in India by both domestic and foreign enterprises, there is a greater need for tougher legislation to protect employees' rights, producers' rights, and customers' rights. As a result, today's enforcement is critical.

5. How can laws ensure that markets work in a manner that is fair? Give two examples to support your answer.

Ans: Markets can be made to work fairly if laws are in place. For example:-

1."No child under the age of fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or employed in any hazardous employment," according to Article 24 of the Indian constitution.

2. Article 23(1): Human trafficking, begging, and other types of forced labour are forbidden, and any violation of this article is a criminal offence penalised according to the law.

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.

Ans: Impact of Relocation on a Worker in a Chemical Factory

• Daily Commute: The new location is 100 kilometres away, significantly increasing commute time and costs.

• Family Time: Longer commute reduces time spent with family, impacting family dynamics.

• Housing: I may need to move closer to the new site, which involves finding a new home and potentially changing my children's schools.

• Financial Strain: Higher transportation costs and possible increased rent would strain my finances.

• Community Connections: Moving means leaving behind my support network of friends and neighbours, which is emotionally challenging.

• Job Security: There might be uncertainty about job security during the transition, adding stress to the situation.

7. Write a paragraph on the various roles of the government that you have read about in this unit.

Ans: In any state, the government serves a variety of functions: 

(i) The government provides public services such as water supply, healthcare, education, and sanitation, and ensures that private businesses do not take over these functions.

(ii) One of the government's main responsibilities is to regulate the actions of private enterprises by enacting, implementing, and upholding laws to prohibit unfair practices and ensure social fairness. This entails that the government is responsible for enacting and enforcing "suitable legislation." The government enacts rules to safeguard workers in manufacturing plants, such as minimum wage laws, labour laws, and workplace safety laws. It also enacts market-related legislation to safeguard consumers from overpricing and inferior products. A law prohibiting child labour has also been enacted by the government.

(iii) The government penalises businesses that fail to adhere to policies designed to safeguard the environment from 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?

Ans: In our location, there are numerous causes of pollution.

Air Pollution - Vehicles, industrial gases ejected from chimneys, and smoke from red brick Bhattas are all sources of pollution.

Water Pollution - Chemical discharges and other liquid effluents from tanneries, mills, and other industries. Dry latrines and inefficient discharge of household waste and sewage into waterways are the other reasons.

Soil Pollution - Lack of suitable arrangements for disposing of domestic garbage, industrial effluents, and ashes, among other things.

In recent years, there has been a steady rise in public awareness of the importance of maintaining a clean environment.

(i) Our country's courts have issued several strong orders on environmental issues, and actions are being taken to limit pollution as a result. Countries and local governments must take appropriate steps to prevent resource exploitation or overuse. In some nations, for example, there are restrictions on the use of certain fuels such as coal, gasoline, and so on. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power are promoted.

(ii) Conservation of land, air, and water resources can help to prevent environmental degradation. We must regulate pollution at the source to achieve this. Industries can adopt efficient, environmentally friendly manufacturing techniques and promote the recycling of their discarded products. Pollution can be controlled at the source this way.

(iii) The government can ensure that rules and regulations relating to environmental issues, such as the use of plastic bags, the disposal of all types of trash, and the reduction of harmful emissions from various industries, are properly enforced. It also has the power to penalise or fine people who break the law.

9. How was the environment treated earlier? What has been the change in perception? Discuss.

Ans: Previously, the environment was treated as a "free" entity, with any enterprise or individual having complete freedom to damage the air and water. The environment was being poisoned, whether it was our rivers, air, or groundwater because there were no laws in place. The topic of environmental contamination has risen to prominence in recent years, particularly in the aftermath of the Bhopal gas tragedy. People's perceptions have fully changed now, and they see that the environment will be shared in the future. Everyone is becoming more aware that a clean environment is a public resource that cannot be sacrificed for the sake of industrial progress. The courts have also upheld the right to a healthy environment as an integral part of the Fundamental Right to Life.

Those who do not respect environmental regulations can now be punished or fined by the government. Renewable energy users are also given incentives by the government. It is encouraged to use recycled products. As a result of the increased number of environmental campaigns and initiatives to plant more trees, people are increasingly engaged in environmental protection.

10. What do you think of the famous cartoonist R.K. What Is Laxman trying to convey in this cartoon? How does it relate to the 2016 law that you read about on page 103? 

Ans: R.K. Laxman's cartoon highlights the irony and hypocrisy in society's attitude towards child labour. The character in the cartoon complains about the heavy burden placed on children, yet admits to hiring a child to help his son. This illustrates a common scenario where people criticise societal issues but contribute to them through their actions.

This cartoon relates to the 2016 law mentioned on page 103, which prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 in any occupation and restricts the employment of adolescents in hazardous work. The cartoon underscores the challenge of changing societal attitudes and practices, despite legal measures. It emphasises the need for not just laws, but also a shift in mindset to truly address child labour issues. This situation shows that laws alone are not sufficient if societal behaviour does not change. People need to understand and internalize the importance of these laws to eradicate child labour genuinely.

11. You have read about the Bhopal gas tragedy and the ongoing struggle. Students from countries across the world have come together to support this struggle for justice. From protest marches to awareness campaigns, you can read about their activities on the website www.students for bhopal.com. The website also has resources such as photos, posters, documentaries, victims’ statements, etc. Use this and other sources to make a wallpaper/exhibition on the Bhopal gas tragedy for your classroom. Invite the whole school to see and talk about it.

Ans: Highlight the Bhopal Gas Tragedy's impact through photos, posters, documentaries, and victims' statements. The exhibition will educate visitors about the tragic events of December 1984, when a gas leak from the Union Carbide plant caused thousands of deaths and long-term health issues.

Feature sections on the immediate aftermath, ongoing struggles for justice, and global student support efforts. Include information on protest marches and awareness campaigns to show the continued fight for accountability and compensation. Invite the whole school to visit, learn, and discuss the tragedy's significance and the importance of industrial safety and environmental justice. This exhibition will raise awareness and encourage meaningful conversations about preventing such disasters in the future.

Topics Covered in Class 8 Civics Chapter 8 Law and Social Justice

Benefits of NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 8 Law and Social Justice

• The NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 8 - Law and Social Justice are answered by experienced teachers to make sure they are accurate and high quality. 

• These solutions cover all the important concepts and topics of the chapter, helping students understand and study the material effectively. 

• Chapter 8 explains the role of laws in protecting rights and promoting justice in society which is helpful for students. 

• Law And Social Justice solutions simplify complex issues like economic exclusion, consumer protection, and environmental laws, making them easier to understand. 

• Following the latest CBSE guidelines, these solutions prepare students thoroughly for their exams. 

• Vedantu's NCERT Solutions for Chapter 8 are excellent for self-study, helping students face their exams with confidence.

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Conclusion 

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 8 - Law and Social Justice are invaluable for students. Qualified educators have created these answers, which provide an in-depth explanation of all relevant topics. They educate students in understanding the function of laws in maintaining equality and protecting rights in society. By following the latest CBSE standards, these solutions ensure that students are properly prepared for assessments. By utilising these resources, students will develop an excellent civics foundation and become more knowledgeable of social justice problems.

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