Implementation of the Directive Principles

Directive principles that have been implemented

The govt of the Union and the States have taken significant steps to implement the Directive Principles.

1)      Abolition of Zamindari : The greatest progress has taken place in implementing Art. 39(b). which states equitable distribution of wealth. Under this Article, the Zamindari, Jagirdari and Inamdari systems have been abolished and actual tillers of the soil have been made owners of the land.

2)      Land holdings : In order to prevent concentration of land in fewer hands [Art. 39(c)], a majority of State govts. have enacted laws fixing a limit to land holdings.

3)      Panchayats : Under Art. 40, almost all the States have organised village panchayats, elected by adult population, which are endowed with powers of civil administration. This was brought about by 73rd and 74th Amendment Act.

4)      Cottage industries : For promotion of cottage industries [Art. 43], various boards such as All India Khadi and Village Industries Board, Silk Board, Handloom Board, Small Scale Industries Board, NABARD, Agriculture Co-operative Societies etc have been established.

5)      RTE : Compulsory and free education [Art. 45] is provided upto the school level.

6)      Minimum wages : Laws providing for minimum wages and equal pay for equal work for both men and women have been enacted [MNREGA]

7)      Standard of living : Community Development Programme has been launched throughout India for raising the standards of living of the rural population [Art. 47].

8)      The judiciary has been separated from executive [Art. 50]. Cr.PC, 1973 was enacted by the Parliament placing the function of judiciary in the hands of judicial magistrates and are under complete control of the High Courts.

9)      Free legal aid to economically backward classes of people has been provided [Art. 39A]

10)  Nationalisation of banks : To provide easy access to the needy and poor sections of society to bank funds, the Union govt nationalised 14 major banks in 1969 and 6 more banks in 1980.

11)  Abolition of privy purses : To abolish inequality, the privileges of ICS officers and the privy purses of former princes have been abolished.

Directive principles that have not been implemented

1)      Right to work [Art. 41]

2)      To minimise the inequalities in income [Art. 38]

3)      To secure a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens [Art. 44]

4)      To improve standard of living [Art. 47]

5)      Some of the directives like providing employment, social security etc have not been achieved.