There are several constitutional provisions in India that aim to promote national unity and integrity. Some of the key provisions are:
- Preamble: The Preamble of the Indian Constitution declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic committed to promoting unity and integrity among all its citizens.
- Fundamental Rights: The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to all citizens irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, or gender. These rights ensure equality before the law, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and protection against discrimination.
- Directive Principles of State Policy: The Directive Principles of State Policy enshrined in the Constitution directs the government to promote social, economic, and political justice, and to strive towards a society based on equality and fraternity.
- Union and State List: The Constitution divides the legislative powers between the central government and state governments. The Union List contains subjects of national importance such as defense, foreign affairs, and currency, while the State List includes subjects such as health, education, and public order.
- Emergency Provisions: The Constitution provides for emergency provisions in times of war, external aggression, or internal disturbance. During an emergency, the central government has the power to suspend fundamental rights and take necessary measures to maintain national unity and integrity.
- Official Language: The Constitution recognizes Hindi as the official language of India, while English is also used for official purposes.
- Cultural and Educational Rights: The Constitution recognizes the cultural and educational rights of different communities and directs the government to promote and protect their interests.
These constitutional provisions aim to promote national unity and integrity by ensuring that all citizens have equal rights and opportunities and by providing for a federal system of governance that balances the interests of different states and communities.
Specific Provisions
- Article 19 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression, which includes the right to express regional priorities and criticize the government if a particular region is being neglected. This provision aims to ensure that citizens have the freedom to express their views and opinions without fear of retribution or censorship, and to promote a healthy democratic culture.
- The Fifth and Sixth Schedules of the Constitution provide special protections for tribal communities in certain areas of India, in order to preserve their distinct identities and promote their social, economic, and political development. These schedules provide for the establishment of autonomous councils and the protection of tribal land rights, among other things.
- Article 38 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) directs the government to promote the welfare of the people and to strive towards reducing inequalities in income, status, and opportunities among individuals and regions. This provision aims to ensure that the benefits of economic growth and development are distributed equitably across different sections of society.
- Schedule 7 of the Constitution divides powers between the central government and state governments, providing for more regional autonomy through the states. This schedule also lays out a list of subjects on which the central government and state governments can legislate, with the aim of promoting greater decentralization and empowering regional governments.
- The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution recognizes different regional languages of India and provides for their inclusion in the official languages of the country. This recognition of linguistic diversity aims to promote cultural pluralism and the preservation of India’s rich linguistic heritage.
- Article 79 and 80 of the Constitution provide for the establishment of the Rajya Sabha, or Council of States, as the upper house of the Indian Parliament. The Rajya Sabha represents the interests of the states and aims to provide a forum for the discussion and resolution of regional issues at the national level.
- Article 368 of the Constitution lays out the procedure for amending the Constitution, which includes obtaining the ratification of at least half of the state legislatures if an amendment is affecting federalism. This provision aims to ensure that the federal structure of India is not undermined by any amendments to the Constitution.
Certain initiatives by GOI to ensure Integrity
- The Interstate Council was established by the Government of India under Article 263, following the acceptance of the Justice Sarkaria Commission’s report on center-state relations. The council’s objective is to develop the Inter-State Council Secretariat as a dynamic organization that supports Center-State and Inter-State coordination and cooperation in India.
- The Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) is a program that has been implemented in 272 backward districts across all states in India to address regional imbalances in development.
- The Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) was launched in September 2015 to promote the welfare of tribals, tribal areas, and others affected by mining.
- The State Reorganization Act of 1956 created Zonal councils to promote the interests of different geographic zones in India.
- The North-Eastern States Reorganization Act of 1971 was enacted to provide a platform for inter-state coordination, regional planning, and integrated development of the Northeast region to prevent intra-regional disparities.
- New states have been created by considering economic and administrative viability, such as Telangana.
- The Backward Area Development Program is a plan assistance program for the backward states.
- Public investment in industries like steel, fertilizers, oil refining, petrochemicals, heavy chemicals, and power and irrigation projects has been utilized as a tool for reducing regional inequality, such as the Polavaram irrigation and Indira Gandhi canal projects.
- Government incentives such as subsidies, tax concessions, concessional banking, and institutional loans have been provided to the private sector to invest in backward areas.
- New institutional structures like NITI Aayog have been created to ensure federal equilibrium.
- The GST Council has been established to ensure fiscal federalism.
- Cultural connect and student exchange programs among state education institutes have been initiated.
- Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat is a program that aims to promote national integration by connecting people from different states.
- The National Register of Citizens of Assam Government is intended to expel outsiders and protect the cultural identity of natives.
- The National Integration Council (NIC) was established to promote national integration and communal harmony.
- The North-Eastern Council (NEC) was created in 1971 to provide a forum for inter-state coordination, regional planning, and integrated development of the Northeast region to prevent intra-regional disparities.
- Regional parties have been given representation in Parliament.
- The Inter-State Council was established under Article 263 to address issues of common interest.
- Special status provisions have been made in the Indian Constitution, such as Article 371 to 371F.
- Special category status has been granted to economically backward states, such as hilly and border states.
FAQs
1. What does “Constitutional provisions” refer to in the context of a country’s constitution?
- Constitutional provisions are specific clauses, articles, or sections within a country’s constitution that outline the fundamental principles, rights, and rules that govern the country. They form the basis for its legal and political framework.
2. How do constitutional provisions affect the governance of a country?
- Constitutional provisions establish the framework for the government’s powers, responsibilities, and limitations. They safeguard the rights and freedoms of citizens and provide a legal foundation for the country’s political and legal systems.
3. Are there any specific constitutional provisions in India related to the environment?
- Yes, India’s Constitution contains several provisions related to the environment, including Articles 48A and 51A(g), which address the protection of the environment and the fundamental duty of citizens to protect and improve it.
4. What are some practical “Go Green” initiative ideas that individuals and communities can implement?
- There are many ways to promote environmental sustainability, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting renewable energy sources. Some ideas include recycling, using public transportation, and planting trees.
5. What are some key initiatives taken by the Government of India in recent years?
- The Government of India has launched several initiatives in various sectors, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Some notable ones include Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India), Digital India, Make in India, and Jan Dhan Yojana.
6. How do government initiatives benefit the citizens of India?
- Government initiatives aim to address specific challenges and improve the quality of life for Indian citizens. They may provide better healthcare, create job opportunities, and enhance access to essential services.
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