Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) – Indian Polity Notes
The Directive Principles of State Policy is a novel feature of the Constitution. These policies are mentioned in part IV of the constitution. The Directive Principles of State Policy came from the Irish constitution of 1937 has adopted them from the constitution of Spain. The Directive Principles of State Policy covers articles 36 to 51 constitution of India.
The Directive Principles according to Dr B R Ambedkar a very comprehensive, economic and political programme for a modern democratic state. Directive Principles have been incorporated in the constitution to meet with the economic and social aspirations of the people of India. The principal aim of DPSP is to establish economic and social equality among the people of India.
Part IV of the Constitution of India is regarded as the sister part of part III which deals with the fundamental rights of the Indian citizens. The Directive Principles of State Policy underlined the philosophy of democratic socialism. It has a touch of Gandhian idealism also.
The Directive Principles should act as the height of all authority’s functioning in India under the constitution. The Directive Principles want to achieve certain social, political, economic, cultural and environmental goals of a welfare state. Their scope is very vast.
In the constitution of India the directive principles can be classified into four categories on the basis of their objectives. They are –
1. Economic principles
2. Social principles
3. Gandhian principles
4. Principles dealing with international peace and security
Importance of The Directive Principles of State Policy: A Critical Analysis
Now let us discuss the significance of Directive Principles of State Policy of India –
1. Directive principles have great moral ideals. They will appeal to the conscience of lawmakers. They have greater force than the binding of the constitution. The lives of countless individuals have been shaped by moral precepts impinging upon their Minds and it is not difficult to find instances of similar precepts directing the course of the history of nations.
2. Directive Principles cannot be enforced by the courts. but they serve as ideas for the judges and influence their interpretation of laws. As the Directive Principles constitute a part of the Constitution it is the duty of the courts to protect them. The Directive Principles impart a short of continuity in our national policies.
3. The directive principles are fundamental Governance of the country. It is the duty of the state to apply these principles in making laws. If these principles are ignored, the people will penalized those who ignore them. Public opinion is the real force behind these principles.
4. Directive principles are of great constitutional importance. They form an essential background for all state action. A responsible government cannot go against these principles. The success of the Constitution depends on the successful implementation of directive principles of State Policy.
5. The directive principles constitute the mirror of public opinion. These principles reflect the will of the people whom the members of the constituent assembly represented. These Principles have been embodied in the constitution so as to meet the aspirations of the people.
6. It is a fact that the Directive principles are not binding upon the state. The people can judge the performance of any political party in the light of the implementation of the Directive Principles of State Policy. Opinion that can enforce these provisions. No government can ignore public opinion.
7. They are regarded as Noble principles day said some ideas before the nation. These Principles constitutes the very basis of a strong democracy. They are not meant for any particular class or caste but for does general well being of the people.
Criticism of Directive Principles :
Directive Principles are criticized from all quarters. The criticism faced by Directive principles are discussed below.
As the directive principles are not justiciable, the state is the serious in the implementation of these principles. These principles should have been made binding upon the authorities. This is the greatest weakness of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Public opinion is the only sanction behind the directive principles. In India there is no strong and healthy public opinion. So nobody cared for these Directive principles. As a result of that, the Directive Principles remained there as so many pious wishes. It is said to be a catalogue of good intentions but not of positive obligations.
The administrative machinery of the country is not suitable for the implementation of the Directive Principles of State Policy. It stays away from the people. Without missionary zeal, the Directive Principles cannot be implemented.
The vested interest are also responsible implementation of the directive principles the very often sabotage the good schemes launched by the state for the implementation of these principles.
Lack of cooperation and vigilance on the part of the people is also another factor behind the failure of these principles.
It should be remembered that India cannot become a welfare state until and unless the directive principles are implemented. All efforts should be made to make the ordinary people economically secure. Otherwise it may lead to the failure of our democracy. Their slogans will not do. What is necessary now is real action for the removal of difficulties which are faced by the people in their everyday life.
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