A welfare state ensures maximum happiness to its people in the country. The Constitution of India seeks to establish the country as a welfare state. The directive principles of state policy aimed at making India a welfare state because they aim at establishing social, economic, and political equality in society.
Social Equality and Justice
The central and state governments have been taking steps to implement directive principles. Some of these are
- The Right to Education Act has been passed by the government, making it mandatory to provide free and compulsory education to children up to the age of 14 years. The Act also reserves 25% of total seats in educational institutions for children belonging to economically weaker sections of society.
- Special scholarships are given to students belonging to economically weaker sections of society.
- One of the major aims of the Five Year Plans is the upliftment of the poor section of society.
- Untouchability has been abolished and has been made an offence punishable by law.
Economic Welfare
- Zamindari system has been abolished by the government.
- Many banks and key industries have been nationalised to ensure that ownership of material resources are evenly distributed.
- Minimum Wages Act has been passed to ensure just payments to workers.
- Various rural development programmes such as Rural Integrated Development Programme (IRDP) and Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP).
- The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 aims to provide 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to rural households.
Political, Administrative and Legal Matters
- Panchayati Raj has been established to promote the ideal of local self-government.
- The government provides free legal aid to the people who cannot afford to engage lawyers for themselves.
- The judiciary is completely independent from the executive to avoid misuse of power.
- Also Read Salient Features of the Constitution
Foreign Policy
- India has always opposed colonialism and racialism. She supported the cause of South Africa against the policy of apartheid.
- India respects international law and believes in settling disputes through peaceful arbitration.
- India believes in the policy of complete disarmament.
- Also Read Our Constitution