Socialistic Principles

These principles reflect the ideology of socialism. They lay down the framework of a democratic socialist state, aim at providing social and economic justice, and set the path towards welfare state. They direct the state:

1. To promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order permeated by justice-social, economic and politi-cal- and to minimise inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportuni-ties4 (Article 38).

2. To secure (a) the right to adequate means of livelihood for all citizens; (b) the equitable distribution of material resources of the community for the common good; (c) prevention of concentration of wealth and means of production; (d) equal pay for equal work for men and women; (e) preservation of the health and strength of workers and children against forcible abuse; and (f) opportunities for healthy development of children5 (Article 39).

3. To promote equal justice and to provide free legal aid to the poor6 (Article 39 A).

4. To secure the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement (Article 41).

5. To make provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief (Article 42).

6. To secure a living wage7 , a decent standard of life and social and cultural opportunities for all workers (Article 43).

7. To take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of indus-tries8 (Article 43 A).

8. To raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of people and to improve public health (Article 47).