The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Public facilities refer to essential services and infrastructure required to sustain a basic quality of life. A defining feature of these facilities is that their usage is collective rather than individualistic.
- Statement 1 is Correct: The fundamental characteristic of a public facility is that once it is provided, its benefits are shared by many people simultaneously. This concept is often referred to in economics as non-excludability or shared consumption. For example, a street light provided for one person illuminates the road for everyone.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The construction of a school or the supply of electricity generates benefits for a large group of people, not a single user. A school provides education to hundreds of children in a locality, and an electricity connection benefits farmers, households, and industries within that grid.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Public facilities relate to basic needs such as water, health, education, and sanitation. In India, the government bears the primary responsibility for providing these facilities to ensure equitable access, often derived from the Right to Life (Article 21). While private players do exist in sectors like education and healthcare, these services are not provided solely by the private sector.
Key Takeaway: Public facilities are characterized by the principle of shared benefits, meaning their provision serves the community at large rather than a single individual.