Directive Principles of State Policy JYOTI Assistant Professor Department of Political Science PGGC-11 Chandigarh

The Directive Principles of State Policy have been described in the Part IV, from Article 36 to 51, of the Constitution. This description is not based on any reasonable plan. The four classes are as follows: Socialist Principles Liberal Principles Gandhian principles International principles

Criticism These principles are not backed by legal sanction They are unnatural These principles are mere percepts They are not permanent Some principles are not practicable They are foreign in nature They are not properly classified These principles are vague and repetitive They are mere promises They are more a political philosophy than a practical politics These principles can lead to constitutional conflicts

Importance These principles are fundamental in the governance of the country These principles aim at the establishment of welfare State in the country They supplement the fundamental rights They are guidelines to governments They establish high ideals They are beacon light for courts They are the test of work These principles are backed by public opinion They maintain continuity in the policies of the government These principles have an educative value

Sanctions behind Directive Principles of State Policy Constitutional sanction Legislative sanction Executive sanction Judicial sanction Sanction of Public Opinion

Implementation of Directive Principles Abolition of Zamindari system and Land Reforms Five Year Plans Democratic Socialism Welfare of Weaker Sections of Society Free and Compulsory Education Labour Welfare Equal rights for Women

Reorganization of Panchayats Improvement of agriculture and animal husbandary Encouragment to village and cottage industries Separation of judiciary from the executive Prohibition Protection of historical monuments Uniform civil code Promotion of world peace

Distinction between Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights Directive Principles are positive instructions, Fundamental Rights are prohibitive Directions Fundamental Rights are justiciable, Directive Principles are not Justiciable Directive Principles have wider political importance The aim of the fundamental rights is political democracy but that of Directive Principles is economic democracy

Fundamental Rights have already been attained but Directive Principles are yet to be enforced Fundamental Rights are backed legal force but Directive Principles by public opinion Fundamental Rights are more definite and clear