Q. Which of the following Constitutional provisions deals with the ‘socialist’ principles?
1. Encouraging equitable distribution of resources among citizens.
2. Creation of welfare state.
3. Minimising inequality in opportunities.
4. Prohibition on taxation for maintenance of any particular religion.
Select the correct option using the code given below:
Exp) Option a is the correct answer.
Socialism was added to the Preamble of the Indian constitution, by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1976.
Option 1 is correct: Socialism believes in equality of all and does not believe in private property or accumulation of resources by individuals. Article 39(b) mentions that the state should strive to ensure that national resources should be equally distributed among all citizens, as far as possible.
Option 2 is correct: Socialism believes that essential services required for the well being of a human should be provided by the State. Such a state is known as welfare state and is envisaged in the Indian constitution. In the DPSPs of Part IV of the Indian constitution Articles 39, 39(A), 41, 42, 43 etc encourage the State to offer living wages, equal pay, free legal aid, maternity benefits, etc.
Option 3 is correct: The idea of Indian democratic socialism, as embodied in the Indian constitution, both in the Preamble as well as in Article 38, under DPSP (Part IV) talks about bringing in equality of opportunities. This means regardless of an individual’s personal wealth, the State shall strive to provide access to important services that are essential for all round development and dignity. For example, free and compulsory education (fundamental right under Article 21A), free healthcare (schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Article 39(f ), Article 47), good infrastructure like roads, internet, etc.
Option 4 is incorrect: The ideology of Socialism negates the existence of God and therefore religion. In contrast, the idea of secularism, as per Indian constitution, is equal respect and help to all religions as well as freedom for individual citizens to confess, practice and preach their religion. These ideals are enshrined in the Preamble as well as in Articles 25-28 of Part III (Fundamental Rights) of the Indian constitution.
