Indian Polity and Issues

ASSIGNMENT 1

Directive Principles of State Policy and

Welfare of Indian Citizens

Name:- Karan Narayan Bhusare

Enrolment No:- MITU22BAJM0020
As an young Bharatiya citizen, I can elaborate on the
theme of Directive Principles of State Policy and Welfare
of Indian Citizens by reflecting on the welfare policy
approach taken by the state/central government in the
last 75 years of independent Bharat and how it
contributed towards progress and development.
Moreover, I can also discuss the major success stories of
the Bharat's government in ensuring the development
of its citizens. Additionally, I can describe in which
direction the government's approach is shifting in recent
years.

Bharat gained independence from British colonial rule

on August 15, 1947 (Except some states). After
independence, Bharat embarked on a path of socio-
economic transformation with the twin objectives of
economic growth and social justice. The preamble of the
Bharat's Constitution states that Bharat is a democratic
republic that works towards the welfare of its citizens.

Bharat's Constitution also lays down several Directive

Principles of State Policy that aim to ensure the welfare
and development of its citizens. These principles
constitute non-justifiable guidelines for the government
to follow while enacting laws and policies. The state is
expected to implement these directives in its policies,
and its progress towards implementing these principles
is periodically reviewed by the Supreme Court and the
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of Bharat.
The government's approach to welfare policy has been
largely influenced by these Directive Principles over the
last 75 years. The approach has evolved over time, with
a focus on equity and inclusivity. The Bharatiya
government has focused on several policy measures
such as increased public expenditure on social
infrastructure, expansion of public health systems, and
promoting social security.

One of the significant success stories of the Bharat's

government's welfare policies is the expansion of the
public education system. In a country where the literacy
rate was barely above 12% during independence, the
government has worked to ensure that elementary
education is available to all Bharatiya children, with a
focus on girls and children from marginalized
communities. The government's efforts have borne
fruits, with the literacy rate now standing at over 73%.

The government's focus on education has also led to the

setting up of several institutions of higher education,
including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs),
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and All India
Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). These institutions
have contributed significantly to the development of the
country by producing highly skilled professionals in
various fields.

Another significant success story of the government's

welfare policies has been the expansion of healthcare
facilities. Significant progress has been made in
combating communicable diseases such as malaria,
tuberculosis, and polio. The government has also
launched various initiatives, including the National Rural
Health Mission and Ayushman Bharat, to improve
maternal and child health outcomes and provide
healthcare access to the economically and socially
disadvantaged populations.

The government has also made significant progress in

providing access to basic amenities such as electricity,
sanitation, and clean water to its citizens. The
electrification of villages has been a significant
achievement of the government, with over 99% of
villages being electrified. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,
launched in 2014, has also been successful in creating
awareness, promoting behavior change, and providing
sanitation infrastructure to millions of people across the
country.

Additionally, the government has also implemented

several social security measures for the protection of its
citizens. The Public Distribution System provides
subsidized food grains to the poor, the National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme provides employment
opportunities to the rural poor, and the Pradhan Mantri
Jan Dhan Yojana provides access to financial inclusion by
opening bank accounts for the unbanked population.

However, despite these achievements, India still faces

significant challenges in ensuring the welfare and
development of all its citizens. Poverty, income
inequality, and lack of access to quality education and
healthcare continue to be major issues that the
government must address. Another challenge that India
faces is the rising population, which has been a
significant issue in the country's development process.

In recent years, the government's approach has shifted

towards greater market-oriented reforms and a focus on
increasing private sector participation in the economy.
The government has launched several initiatives that
aim to boost manufacturing, digital infrastructure, and
ease of doing business. Some of these initiatives include
Make in India, Digital India, and Startup India.

These initiatives aim to create an environment that is

favorable to businesses and entrepreneurship, increase
employment opportunities, and promote economic
growth. However, these initiatives have also sparked
concerns about their impact on society's most
vulnerable sections, as the government's focus appears
to be shifting away from the principles of social justice
and equity that have defined India's development
model.

The Indian government's welfare policy approach has

undoubtedly contributed towards the progress and
development of the country in the last 75 years. The
country has made significant strides in various indicators
such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social
security. However, as the country faces new challenges,
the government must strive to balance the need for
economic growth with the principles of social justice and
equity enshrined in its Constitution.