Which are Gandhian Directive Principles?
Q. Which of the following are Gandhian Directive Principles?
1) To organize village panchayats
2) To secure opportunities for healthy development of children
3) To promote cottage industries- Published on 21 Feb 17a. 2, 3
b. 1, 2
c. 1, 3
d. All of the above
ANSWER: 1, 3
- The Constitution does not contain any classification of Directive Principles (DPSPs). However, on the basis of their content and direction, they can be classified into three broad categories, viz, socialistic, Gandhian and liberal-intellectual.
- Socialistic Principles - They reflect ideology of socialism. They lay down the framework of a democratic socialist state, aim at providing social and economic justice, and set the path towards welfare state.
These DPSPs direct the state -
1. To promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order permeated by justice - social, economic and political - and to minimize inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportunities (Article 38) (second provision was added by the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1978).
2. To secure:
(a) the right to adequate means of livelihood for all citizens;
(b) the equitable distribution of material resources of the community for the common good;
(c) prevention of concentration of wealth and means of production;
(d) equal pay for equal work for men and women;
(e) preservation of the health and strength of workers and children against forcible abuse; and
(f) opportunities for healthy development of children (Article 39) (modified by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976).
3. To promote equal justice and to provide free legal aid to the poor (Article 39 A) (added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976).
4. To secure the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement (Article 41).
5. To make provision for just and humane conditions for work and maternity relief (Article 42).
6. To secure a living wage, a decent standard of life and social and cultural opportunities for all workers (Article 43).
7. To take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries (Article 43 A) (added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976)
8. To raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of people and to improve public health (Article 47).
- Gandhian Principles - They are based on Gandhian ideology and represent the programme of reconstruction enunciated by Gandhi during the national movement.
- In order to fulfill the dreams of Gandhi, some of his ideas were included as Directive Principles.
They require the State -
1. To organize village panchayats and endow them with necessary powers and authority to enable them to function as units of self-government (Article 40).
2. To promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operation basis in rural areas (Article 43).
3. To promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of co-operative societies (Article 43B) (added by the 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011).
4. To promote the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker sections of the society and to protect them from social injustice and exploitation (Article 46).
5. To prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injurious to health (Article 47).
6. To prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle and to improve their breeds (Article 48).
