Article 38 (1) of the Indian Constitution provides that principle of securing a social order for promoting public welfare. Accordingly, the state shall promote the welfare of people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a social order in which justice, social, economic and political shall inform all the institutions of the national life. Clause (2), inserted by the Forty-fourth Amendment, provides that the State shall, in particular, strive to minimize the inequalities in income, and endeavor to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities.
Article 39 provides the policy objectives for realizing the goals defined in Art 38. For example: operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth to the common detriment or opportunities of children and the young for healthy development, consonant with freedom and dignity [Art. 39 (f)]. 1. The State shall direct its policy towards securing equitable distribution of the material resources of the community and prevention of concentration of wealth and means of production [Art. 39 (b) (c)].
Other articles of the part defines the policy contents. The policy contents again could be divided into two categories; first rights specific and second governance and reform specific.
(a) Governance policies of the States:
• Endeavour to secure a uniform civil code for the citizens [Art. 44].
• To develop particularly the cottage industries [Art. 43].
• Endeavour to organize agriculture and animal husbandry [Art. 48].
• Shall take steps to organize Village Panchayats to function as units of self-government [Art. 40].
• To promote educational and economic interests of weaker sections and to protect them from social injustice and exploitation[Art. 46].
• To protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wild life [Art. 48A].
• To protect and maintain places of historic or artistic interest [Art. 49].
• To separate the judiciary from the Executive [Art.50].
• Duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to promote public health.
• The State shall endeavor to promote international peace and amity [Art. 51].
(b) Non-justiciable Rights of Citizens:
• Right to adequate means of livelihood [Art. 39(a)].
• Right of both sexes to equal pay for equal work [Art. 39(b)].
• Provision for free legal aid [Art. 39A]: state shall secure such legal system and legal aid by suitable legislation or schemes.
• Right to work and education [Art. 41]: State shall, within limits of economic capacity and development, make effective provisions for securing such rights and the right to public assistance
• Right to public assistance in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and other cases of undeserved want [Art. 41]. Make provision for securing
• Provision for humane conditions of work and maternity relief [Art. 42].
• The State shall endeavor to secure just and human conditions of work, a living wage, a decent standard of living and social and cultural opportunities for all workers Right to living wage and conditions of work ensuring decent standard of life for workers [Art. 43]. Shall endeavour to secure this by suitable legislation or economic organization
• Right of workers to participate in management of industries [Art. 43A]. State shall take steps by suitable legislation or other ways.
• Provision for early childhood care and free and compulsory education to children below the age of 6 years. [Art. 45]. Endeavour to provide.
