Write the Directive Principles of State Policy related to environment and women.

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Points to Remember:

  • Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) are non-justiciable guidelines for the state to follow in governance.
  • They aim to create a just and equitable society.
  • DPSPs related to the environment and women aim to ensure sustainable development and gender equality.

Introduction:

The Indian Constitution, under Part IV (Articles 36-51), outlines the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs). These principles, while not legally enforceable in courts like Fundamental Rights, serve as guiding principles for the state to frame its policies and legislation. They represent the nation’s social and economic goals. This response will specifically address the DPSPs concerning the environment and the welfare of women. While there isn’t a specific article solely dedicated to “environment,” several articles indirectly address environmental protection, and several articles explicitly address women’s welfare.

Body:

A. Directive Principles Related to the Environment:

While no single DPSP explicitly mentions “environment,” several articles indirectly contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development. These include:

  • Article 47: This article directs the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health. Environmental degradation directly impacts these aspects, making environmental protection implicitly crucial for fulfilling this directive. For example, clean air and water are essential for public health.

  • Article 48A: This article, added later through an amendment, specifically directs the state to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. This is a direct and explicit directive concerning environmental protection. The National Green Tribunal’s establishment and various environmental laws are attempts to implement this directive.

  • Article 51A: This article outlines fundamental duties of citizens, including protecting and improving the natural environment. This highlights the shared responsibility between the state and citizens in environmental conservation.

B. Directive Principles Related to Women:

Several DPSPs directly address the welfare and advancement of women:

  • Article 39(a): This article directs the state to secure for all citizens the right to an adequate means of livelihood. This is particularly relevant for women, who often face economic disparities. Policies aimed at women’s economic empowerment, such as skill development programs and access to credit, are attempts to fulfill this directive.

  • Article 39(e): This article directs the state to ensure that the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment. This indirectly addresses gender inequality as women often face economic marginalization.

  • Article 42: This article directs the state to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief. This is a direct provision for women’s welfare, ensuring their well-being during pregnancy and motherhood. Maternity Benefit Act is a key legislation stemming from this directive.

  • Article 46: This article directs the state to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation. This includes women from marginalized communities who face multiple forms of discrimination.

Conclusion:

The Directive Principles of State Policy, while not justiciable, provide a crucial moral and ethical framework for governance in India. Articles 47, 48A, and 51A indirectly and directly address environmental protection, emphasizing the state’s and citizens’ responsibility for environmental sustainability. Articles 39(a), 39(e), 42, and 46 specifically address the welfare of women, aiming to secure their economic and social empowerment. To move forward, the state needs to strengthen the implementation of these directives through robust legislation, effective enforcement, and increased budgetary allocation. A holistic approach, integrating environmental protection with women’s empowerment, is crucial for achieving sustainable and equitable development, upholding the constitutional values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. This will contribute to a society where both environmental sustainability and gender equality are not just aspirations but realities.

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