Directive Principles : Indian Polity || English

 

Directive Principles: Introduction

Part 4 of the constitution contains Directive Principles of state policy aimed at fulfilling the high ideal of justice, equality, and fraternity established in the preamble.  

These ideals are the duties of the state for the sake of the common good of the people and to provide a social and economic base of genuine democracy in the country.

 Article 36 to Article 51  content various Directive Principles. These principles can be listed under Socialistic, Gandhian, and Liberal principles.

Justice-Directive Principle

Socialistic Principles:

The primary goal of socialistic principles is to enable individuals to live good and satisfying lives.   some of the socialistic principles are:

• An adequate means of subsistence/basic necessities for all citizens.

• Equal pay for work irrespective/regardless of gender.

• Regulating economic affairs of the State in such a way so that a small section of people in the society cannot have authority/share over most of the State resources(that is restricting the concentration of wealth and means of production).

• Make provisions for securing the right to work, education, and public assistance for those who are unemployed, old in age, sick, and similar other cases.

• To provide all workers with a good standard of living and social and cultural amenities

• Protecting the environment for the moral development of children.

Gandhian Principles:

Gandhian principles are the embodiment of the Gandhian program reconstruction. Some of these are :

• The establishment of a local panchayat(democratic decentralization) to serve as a self-governing unit.

• Empowering those sections of the population in the society who are considered weaker by securing their educational and economic interest.

• Encouraging the development of cottage industries.

• Restricting those drugs/drinks that are considered intoxicating.

• Prevent the killing of animals like cows, calves, and other milch.

Liberal Principles:

 Liberal Principles emphasize the need for:

• Citizens of the country to have a common uniform civil code for all.

• All children aged up to fourteen years are entitled to compulsory education and it is completely free.

• Separation of power between judiciary and executive.

•  Agriculture and animal husbandry are to be organized according to scientific principles.

• To manage industries in such a way that workers' participation is ensured.

• To safeguard the country's wildlife and forest.

• To protect monuments and places that are important from the historical point of view.

Directive principles outside Part Four:

 Some of the  Directive Principles  that are present outside part 4 of the Indian Constitution are as follows:

 Article 335- This article provides for consideration of the claims of the SC-ST  in an appointment under Union and State.

Article 350A- this article States that the children of the linguistic minorities are to be given education in their mother tongue till the primary level.

Article 351-  Union shall take steps to promote Hindi as the national language.

Directive Principles Included by 42nd Amendment Act:

 Four new principles were added by the 42nd Amendment Act,1976:

Article 39a- Equal justice for all people and free legal services for those who are poor and marginalized people.

Article 39f- Protection of the environment for the development of children.

Article43a-  To manage industries in such a way that worker's participation is ensured

Article 48a-  Protection of the environment and safeguarding forest and wildlife.

Conclusion:

 The enumeration of the Directive Principles installed new hopes and aspirations in the minds of the people. According to BR Ambedkar, these principles are a powerful instrument for the transformation of India from a political democracy into economic democracy.