Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth is the violation of

Question

Prepp Team · Accepted Answer

Understanding Concentration of Wealth in India

The question asks about which principle under the Indian Constitution is violated by the concentration of wealth. Concentration of wealth refers to a situation where a significant portion of a nation's wealth is owned or controlled by a very small percentage of the population. This can lead to economic inequality and potential social issues.

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) and Economic Justice

Part IV of the Indian Constitution contains the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). These are guidelines or principles that the State should keep in mind while framing laws and policies. They are not legally enforceable by courts, but they are fundamental in the governance of the country and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws.

One of the key objectives of the DPSP is to establish a social and economic democracy and a welfare state. Several articles within the DPSP address economic matters and the equitable distribution of resources.

Specifically, Article 39 lays down certain principles of policy to be followed by the State. Article 39(c) states that the State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing:

that the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment.

This article directly addresses the issue of concentration of wealth, stating that the State should work to prevent it.

Analyzing Other Options

Right to Equality (Part III - Fundamental Rights): The Right to Equality (Articles 14-18) ensures equality before the law and equal protection of the laws, and prohibits discrimination. While economic inequality resulting from wealth concentration can undermine the spirit of equality and opportunities, the concentration of wealth itself is not explicitly defined as a direct violation of the fundamental Right to Equality under Part III.
Right to Freedom (Part III - Fundamental Rights): The Right to Freedom (Articles 19-22) covers various freedoms like speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession. Again, extreme wealth concentration can indirectly impact these freedoms by creating unequal access or influence, but it is not constitutionally defined as a violation of these specific rights.
Concept of Welfare: The Concept of Welfare or a Welfare State is a broad goal that the Indian Constitution aims to achieve. The Directive Principles of State Policy are the means to achieve this welfare state goal. Preventing the concentration of wealth, as mentioned in Article 39(c), is one specific principle within the DPSP that contributes to the overall concept of welfare. Therefore, while related, the DPSP is a more specific and direct constitutional provision concerning the violation of wealth concentration.

Conclusion

Based on the specific provisions of the Indian Constitution, particularly Article 39(c) of the Directive Principles of State Policy, the concentration of wealth is directly identified as something the State should prevent to avoid common detriment. Thus, it is considered a violation of the principles laid down in the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Revision Table: DPSP vs. Fundamental Rights

Feature	Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)	Fundamental Rights
Part of Constitution	Part IV	Part III
Enforceability	Not legally enforceable by courts	Legally enforceable by courts
Nature	Positive obligations on the State (what the State should do)	Negative obligations on the State (what the State cannot do)
Purpose	To establish a welfare state and socio-economic democracy	To establish political democracy and protect individual liberties

Additional Information on Economic Principles in DPSP

Besides Article 39(c), other articles in the DPSP also aim at promoting economic justice and equitable distribution:

Article 38: Requires the State to secure a social order for the promotion of the welfare of the people by securing justice, social, economic, and political.
Article 39(a): Directs the State to secure that the citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood.
Article 39(b): Directs the State to secure that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to subserve the common good.

These principles collectively highlight the Constitution's intent to prevent extreme economic inequalities and the concentration of wealth, viewing it as detrimental to the common good and the goal of a welfare state.