Insights Static Quiz -260, 2019–Polity

Solution: d)

Fundamental Rights are not absolute and subject to reasonable restrictions. Further, they are not sacrosanct and can be curtailed or repealed by the Parliament through a constitutional amendment act.

They promote the idea of political democracy. DPSP promote the idea of social and economic democracy.

Most of them are directly enforceable (self-executory) while a few of them can be enforced on the basis of a law made for giving effect to them. Such a law can be made only by the Parliament and not by state legislatures so that uniformity throughout the country is maintained (Article 35).

Solution: d)

The following are denied to foreign citizens, also called aliens:

1. Right against discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth (Article 15)
2. Right to equality of opportunity in the matter of public employment (Article 16)
3. Right to freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence and profession (Article 19)
4. Cultural and educational rights (Articles 29 and 30)
5. Right to vote in elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assembly
6. Right to contest for the membership of the Parliament and the state legislature
7. Eligibility to hold certain public offices, that is, President of India, Vice-President of India, judges of the Supreme Court and the high courts, governor of states, attorney general of India and advocate general of states.

Solution: c)

Option a): DPSP like organizing village panchayats, cheap legal remedies for the poor have already been implemented by law.

Option b): They do recognize. For e.g. certain laws that violate Article 14 of the constitution can be declared legitimate if they fulfil DPSP under parts of Article 39. In the Minerva Mills case (1980), the Supreme Court held that ‘the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of the balance between the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles’.

Option (c): For e.g. if adequate steps are not taken to stop circulation of intoxicants like liquors (a DPSP), the courts cannot dictate the government to do so.

Solution: d)

As per the Swaran Singh Committee (that suggested inclusion of fundamental rights); including duty to pay taxes should have been a fundamental duty, but it was not agreed upon.

So as per the Direct taxation laws; income and other kinds of taxes are a legal obligation for an Indian citizen as he uses public services, receives social and political security from the state etc

Solution: b)

An amendment of the Constitution can be initiated only by the introduction of a bill for the purpose in either House of Parliament and not in the state legislatures.

It is true that the proposal for amendment may come from any of the options mentioned, but only after the executive clears it can it be put forth the Parliament. From here the formal process starts.