What is the utility of Directive Principles?
Q. What is the utility of Directive Principles?
1. Rigid constitution
2. Appointment of Governor
3. Integrated judiciary- Published on 21 Feb 17a. 1, 3
b. 1, 2
c. 2, 3
d. All of the above
ANSWER: 1, 2
According to M C Setalvad, the former Attorney General of India, the Directive Principles, although confer no legal rights are significant in the following ways -
1. They are like an ‘Instrument of Instructions’ or general recommendations addressed to all authorities in the Indian Union.
2. They remind them of the basic principles of the new social and economic order, which the Constitution aims at building.
3. They have served as useful beacon-lights to the courts. They have helped the courts in exercising their power of judicial review, that is, the power to determine the constitutional validity of a law.
4. They form the dominating background to all State action, legislative or executive and also a guide to the courts in some respects.
5. They amplify the Preamble, which solemnly resolves to secure to all citizens of India justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
The Directives also play the following roles -
1. They facilitate stability and continuity in domestic and foreign policies in political, economic and social spheres in spite of the changes of the party in power.
2. They are supplementary to the fundamental rights of the citizens.
3. They are intended to fill in the vacuum in Part III by providing for social and economic rights.
4. Their implementation creates a favorable atmosphere for the full and proper enjoyment of the fundamental rights by the citizens.
5. They enable the opposition to exercise influence and control over the operations of the government.
6. The Opposition can blame the ruling party on the ground that its activities are opposed to the Directives.
7. They serve as a crucial test for the performance of the government. The people can examine the policies and programmes of the government in the light of these constitutional declarations.
8. They serve as common political manifesto for political parties irrespective of their political ideology.
