Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Consitution?
Participation of workers in the management of industries
Understanding Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are guidelines or principles given to the central and state governments of India, to be kept in mind while framing laws and policies. These are enshrined in Part IV of the Constitution of India. While not legally enforceable by any court, they are considered fundamental in the governance of the country and it is the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws.
The Significance of the 42nd Amendment
The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, is one of the most significant amendments to the Constitution of India. Passed during the Emergency, it introduced various changes across different parts of the Constitution, leading to it being sometimes referred to as a 'Mini-Constitution'. This amendment made several additions and changes to the list of Directive Principles of State Policy.
Identifying the Principle Added by the 42nd Amendment
Let's examine the options provided in the context of the Directive Principles and the 42nd Amendment:
- Equal pay for equal work for both men and women: This principle is part of the original Directive Principles as mentioned in Article 39(d). It was not added by the 42nd Amendment.
- Participation of workers in the management of industries: This principle directs the State to take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of undertakings, establishments, or other organizations engaged in any industry. This specific principle, found in Article 43A, was indeed inserted into the DPSP by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
- Right to work, education and public assistance: This principle is covered under Article 41 of the original Directive Principles of State Policy. It was not added by the 42nd Amendment.
- Securing living wage and human condition of work to workers: This principle is part of the original Directive Principles, primarily covered under Article 43, which talks about a living wage, etc. It was not added by the 42nd Amendment.
Based on this analysis, the principle concerning the participation of workers in the management of industries is the one that was specifically added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution.
Added Principles by 42nd Amendment (1976)
The 42nd Amendment added the following new Directive Principles:
- Article 39(f): To secure opportunities for the healthy development of children.
- Article 39A: To promote equal justice and provide free legal aid to the poor.
- Article 43A: To take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries.
- Article 48A: To protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
Comparing this list with the options, the principle regarding the participation of workers in the management of industries (Article 43A) clearly aligns with one of the additions made by the 42nd Amendment.
| Principle | Relevant Article(s) | Added/Part of Original DPSP | Amendment (if added) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equal pay for equal work for both men and women | Article 39(d) | Part of Original DPSP | N/A |
| Participation of workers in the management of industries | Article 43A | Added to DPSP | 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 |
| Right to work, education and public assistance | Article 41 | Part of Original DPSP | N/A |
| Securing living wage and human condition of work to workers | Article 43 | Part of Original DPSP | N/A |
| Equal justice and free legal aid | Article 39A | Added to DPSP | 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 |
| Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding forests and wildlife | Article 48A | Added to DPSP | 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 |
Revision Table: 42nd Amendment and DPSP
| Article | Principle |
|---|---|
| Article 39(f) | Opportunities for healthy development of children |
| Article 39A | Equal justice and free legal aid |
| Article 43A | Participation of workers in management of industries |
| Article 48A | Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding forests and wildlife |
Additional Information on Directive Principles and Amendments
The Directive Principles of State Policy represent the socio-economic goals that the Indian state should strive to achieve. They are non-justiciable, meaning they cannot be enforced in a court of law, but they are crucial for the governance of the country. The amendments to the Constitution, like the 42nd Amendment, have often been used to update or expand the scope of these principles in response to changing societal needs and political priorities.
For instance, the addition of Article 43A reflected a growing recognition of the importance of industrial democracy and worker welfare. Similarly, Article 48A highlighted the increasing concern for environmental protection. Other amendments have also added or modified DPSPs, such as the 44th Amendment (1978) which added Article 38(2) to minimize inequalities in income, status, facilities, and opportunities, and the 86th Amendment (2002) which changed the subject matter of Article 45 to make elementary education a fundamental right under Article 21A, and provided for early childhood care and education until the age of six as a DPSP under Article 45.
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