The Directive Principles of State Policy are in the nature of directions to the legislative and executive wings of the Government to be observed while formulating laws and policy.
The Directive Principles have not been fully translated into action. However, it cannot be denied that the various Governments have put in efforts in this direction. The Directive Principles have influenced legislation to fix land ceilings and remove intermediaries such as ‘dalals’ and ‘zamindars’. It has also led to formulation of several laws for organising village panchayats. Various measures have also been taken to protect historical monuments, forests and wildlife and organise agriculture along modern and scientific lines.
It can be mentioned here that while the Fundamental Rights seek to protect the individual from State atrocities, the Directive Principles are aimed to promote the general welfare of the State.
Further, the Fundamental Rights are justiciable while the Directive Principles are not enforceable by the Courts if the State has not implemented them.
During the first sixteen years after the Constitution came into operation, the Directive Principles were considered subordinate to the Fundamental Rights. However, the conflict between the Directive Principle and the Fundamental Rights is meaningless as they are complementary to each other.
