NCERT Solutions for Class 6th Social Science Civics- Urban Livelihood

A large number of people in the city work on streets-12 % of all the workers in the city were people working on the street- they sell things or repair them or provide a service-work on their own-are not employed by anyone-have to organise their own work-have to plan how much to purchase-where and how to set up their shops-shops are usually temporary structures-just some boards or papers spread over discarded boxes-or a canvas sheet hung up on a few poles. -may also use their own carts or simply a plastic sheet spread on the pavement-can be asked to dismantle their shops at any time by the police- have no security- there are certain parts of the city where these hawkers are not allowed to enter-Vendors sell things -often prepared at home by their families who purchase, clean, sort and make them ready to sell-almost 1 crore street vendors working in the urban areas- an obstruction to traffic and to people walking-is now recognised as a general benefit -right of people to earn their livelihood- government thinking about modifying the law that banned street vendors so that they have a place to work and that there is also a free flow of traffic and people-Hawking zones have been suggested for towns and cities-also been suggested that mobile vendors should be allowed to move around freely-Hawkers need to be part of committees – set up to take these and other decisions relating to them.

Street Venders

• In India, there exists an inequality of income among various people belonging to different classes.
• In cities, a large number of people work on the streets. They either sell different commodities or offer their services to the people such as servicing of a cycle etc.
• It has been found out that in the city of Ahmedabad about 12% of the total workers work on streets.
• Generally, street vendors are not employed and run their own work.
• Some street vendors even set up their shops on roadsides, which are mostly temporary structures. At times, they spread plastic sheets over the side roads or pavements where they sell different things.
• Street vendors often sell those things which are prepared by their family members like snacks, pickles etc.
  
• Since their shops are not permanent, they can be dismantled anytime by the police. They have no security of any kind.
• About one crore people in India work as street vendors. Due to the efforts of many organisations, street vendors are looked upon as people who have the right to earn their livelihood and not just as people who obstruct the flow of people and traffic on roads.
• Many organisations have been demanded the setting up of Hawking zones and formation of hawking committees in towns and cities so that hawkers themselves can take decisions involving them.

People Working in the Markets

In big markets we find a number of shops. While some shops sell day to day items, some sell garments, electronic equipments, toys etc. Some people also offer their services to people such as doctors who open clinics in the markets. While some people own shops in the markets, some people work as salesmen. One person can have many shops in the city. These shops may be large or small. The owners of permanent shops employ other people as supervisors, salesmen and helpers. These permanent shops have a license which they receive from the municipal corporation. The municipal corporation decides the day when markets are supposed to be closed. Many markets may also have banks, courier services, medical shops and hospitals. 

People Working in Factories

• A large numbers of people in the cities are employed in factories or workshops.
• Many skilled and unskilled labourers gather in the busiest places in the markets, in order to find a person to whom they can offer their services. Usually these are masons, plumbers and other casual workers.
• Many people work in factories or workshops. Many of them are employed on a casual basis. This means that such people get work only when required by the employers or when the employers get large orders.
• Workers in the garment industry and in several mills work on a casual basis. Neither is their job permanent nor are they paid well.
• Casual workers are generally employed for about seven to eight months in a factory. Their working hours are long and tiring. During the lean season, casual workers have to find some other work.

People Working in Offices

• Many people in the city work in offices, big factories, government departments etc.
• Most of the people who work in offices are permanent and regular employees of the company.
• The work of the people in offices is clearly defined and they are paid regular salaries.
• They get fixed paid holidays. They are also entitled to receive medical facilities and provident fund. The latter is used by them after their retirement.
• Many people in the city also work in call centres. A call centre is a centralised office which caters to the inquiries of customers pertaining to purchased goods and services offered by various companies.
• Call centres have work stations which include a computer, a telephone set and a supervisor’s chamber.
• Apart from Indian companies, many foreign companies have set up their call centres in India as they easily get people who are proficient in English and ready to work for long hours at lower wages.

Important Questions

• Multiple Choice Questions:

Question 1. The market place was already crowded because of:

(a) Discounted sale

(b) Cheaps items were sold there

(c) Main market

(d) Festival season

Question 2. Vandana is a:

(a) Architect;

(b) A good tailor;

(c) A dress designer;

(d) A typist

Question 3. “Labour chowk” is a place where:

(a) Hawkers are gathered;

(b) Labourers are gathered;

(c) Rickshaw pullers are gathered;

(d) Tea and pan shops are found.

Question 4. Nirmala is employed:

(a) On regular basis;

(b) On contract basis;

(c) On casual basis;

(d) On self employment

Question 5. In the Call Centres people can get employment, who can:

(a) Speak in English;

(b) Go outside on tour;

(c) Sell the products;

(d) Work as a labourer.

Question 6. Which activity is not related to the cities?

(a) Newspaper hawker;

(b) Flowers shop;

(c) Fishing;

(d) Auto rickshaws

Question 7. In the village Bachchu Manjhi worked as a:

(a) Labour;

(b) Mason;

(c) Farming;

(d) Fishing

Question 8. In the city Bachchu Manjhi’s savings are:

(a) ₹ 30-40

(b) ₹ 50-60;

(c) ₹ 70-80;

(d) ₹ 80-100

Question 9. Survey related to counting of labourer was taken in the city:

(a) Mumbai;

(b) Chennai;

(c) Kolkata;

(d) Ahmedabad;

Question 10. Vendors sell things that are often prepared at:

(a) Home;

(b) Factory;

(c) Office;

(d) None

Question 11. Why people living in rural areas move to different places?

(a) able to move from season to season as favourable condition are not there in rural areas

(b) Not being able to earn money throughout the year forces people in many rural areas to travel long distances in search of work

(c) able to produce many goods throughout the year and sell them in towns

(d) able to earn money throughout the year move to enjoy the urban life

Question 12. Most of the businessman are

(a) Employed by government

(b) Employed by Industries

(c) Employed by others

(d) Self employed

Question 13. Which of the following is not the reason for crop failure

(a) Monsoon does not bring enough

(b) Pests attack their crop

(c) Manure are of good quality

(d) Seeds are good quality

Question 14. If we feel a problem in our teeth where should we go?

(a) Veterinary clinic

(b) Teacher

(c) Physician

(d) Dentist

Question 15. How much Bachchu Manjhi earn per day

(a) 50

(b) 100

(c) 150

(d) 200

• Fill in the blanks :

1. Nirmala works in a  _______.
2. There are almost _______  ‘street vendors’ in the country working in urban areas.
3. ________ is now recognised as a general benefit and as a right of people to earn their livelihood.
4. A large number of people in the city work on the ________.
5. ________ and ________ are businesspersons.

• Write true (T) or false (F) :

1. Vandana is a dress designer.
2. Workers who work in offices, factories, and government departments are called casual workers.
3. Working in Call Centres is a new form of employment in the big cities.
4. Street shops are usually permanent structures. 

• Very Short Questions :

1. Name a new form of employment in the big cities.
2. Who is Bachchu Manjhi?
3. What is mandatory for permanent shops?
4. What kind of threat temporary workers go through?
5. List some activities that are carried out on the streets?
6. How many towns and big cities are there in India?
7. Which authority issues licence to the permanent shops to do business?
8. What is labour chowk?
9. Who decides on which day of the week the market has to remain closed?
10. Why can’t Bachchu Manjhi live with his family?

• Short Questions :

1. What do street vendors usually sell?
2. Discuss the problems faced by the vendors.
3. Bachchu Manjhi has to think twice before taking a day off from work. Why?
4. What are normal working hours in a garment factory?
5. Why government is thinking about modifying the law that banned street vendors?

• Long Questions :

1. In what ways is a permanent and regular job different from a casual job? Discuss.
2. What work does Sudha do?
3. What are the benefits of a permanent job?
4. Talk to a shop owner in a market and find out how he plans his work. Have there been any changes in his business in the past twenty years?
5. Why did Harpreet and Vandana start a showroom? What do they have to do to run the showroom?

ANSWER KEY –

• Multiple Choice Answer :

1. (d) Festival season
2. (c) A dress designer;
3. (b) Labourers are gathered;
4. (c) On casual basis;
5. (a) Speak in English;
6. (c) Fishing;
7. (b) Mason;
8. (a) ₹ 30-40
9. (d) Ahmedabad;
10. (a) Home;
11. (b) Not being able to earn money throughout the year forces people in many rural areas to travel long distances in search of work
12. (d) Self employed
13. (c) Manure are of good quality
14. (d) Dentist
15. (b) 100

• Fill in the blanks :

1. garment factory.
2. one crore
3. Street vending
4. streets.
5. Harpreet, Vandana

• Write true (T) or false (F) :

1. True
2. False
3. True
4. False

• Very Short Answer :

1. Call centres
2. Bachchu Manjhi is a Cycle-Rickshaw Puller.
3. Permanent shops need licence to do business.
4. Temporary workers go through threat of being fired by the employer.
5. Vending, hair cutting, shoe repairing, flower selling, newspaper selling etc.
6. There are more than five thousand towns and twenty seven big cities in India.
7. Municipal corporation authority issues licence to the permanent shops to do business.
8. The ‘labour chowk’ is a place where daily wage labourers wait with their tools for contractors to hire them.
9. The Municipal Corporation decides on which day of the week the market has to remain closed.
10. Bachchu Manjhi can’t live with his family because he stays with his friends in a rented room..

• Short Answer :

1. Vendors sell things that are often prepared at home by their families who purchase, clean, sort and make them ready to sell. For example, those who sell food or snacks on the street, prepare most of these at home.
2. Their shops are usually temporary structures. They can be asked to dismantle their shops at any time by the police. They have no security. There are certain parts of the city where these hawkers are not allowed to enter.
3. Bachchu Manjhi is a Cycle-Rickshaw Puller. He earns between Rs. 80-100 every day, out of which he spend Rs. 50-60 on food and rent. The rest he saves for his family. If he takes off, he will not able to earn money for himself and his family.
4. Workers have to work for very long hours in the months from December to April. A normal working day begins at 9 a.m. and finishes only by 10 p.m., sometimes even later. Workers work for six days a week. At times when the work needs to be done urgently, they work on Sundays, too.
5. The government is thinking about modifying the law that banned street vendors, so that they have a place to work and that there is also a free flow of traffic and people. Hawking zones have been suggested for towns and cities. It has also been suggested that mobile vendors should be allowed to move around freely.

• Long Answer :

1. Permanent and regular job: In Permanent and regular job employee get a regular salary every month. Apart from salary, also gets other benefits such as savings for old age, holidays, medical facilities for their family etc.

Casual job: There is no job security or protection in casual job. If workers complain about their pay or working conditions they are asked to leave. They are paid less and expected to work for very long hours.

1. 1. Sudha is a marketing manager in a company which manufactures biscuits. She supervises the work of 50 salespersons who travel to different parts of the city. They get orders from shopkeepers and collect payments from them. She has divided the city into six regions and once a week she meets the salespersons of each region. She checks their progress report and discusses problems they face. She has to plan the sales in the entire city and often has to work late and travel to different places.

• People in permanent jobs have following benefits:

• They get regular salary every month.
•  They can expect their job to continue for a long period of time.
• They get off on Sundays and national holidays. They also gets some days as annual leave.
•  A part of their salary is kept in a fund with the government. They will earn interest on these savings. When they retire from their job they will get this money.

1. He owns a garment shop in a busy market. He does financial planning and budgeting at the end of each month. He decides about the vendor to be contacted and types of garments to be ordered. He keeps in mind people’s preference and change in fashion while placing an order.

Yes, his business has been changed a lot with time. Previously, there were only 2-3 shops in the area. And therefore there was not much competition. Now, there are many shops in the area and customers are more aware. Now, he has to be more competitive.

1. These days people prefer to buy readymade clothes, rather than have them stitched. The trend these days is for readymade garments. Therefore Harpreet and Vandana started a showroom.

For their showroom, they buy things from different places. They buy most of the materials from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Ludhiana and Tripura. Some materials also come from Noida and Gurgaon, towns near Delhi. They get some dress items from foreign countries, too. There are several things they need to do to run this showroom properly. They advertise in various newspapers, cinema theatres, television and radio channels.

 

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