Social Justice and Economic Policies

Social justice means fairness in society — ensuring that all citizens, especially the weaker and marginalized sections, have equal opportunities, rights, and access to resources.

Economic policies are the tools used by the government to manage the economy. They include policies on taxation, subsidies, industrial growth, employment, trade, agriculture, and welfare schemes.

When economic policies are guided by social justice, they help in reducing inequality, fighting poverty, and promoting inclusive growth. In India, this is not just a policy choice but also a constitutional obligation.

Why Link Social Justice with Economic Policies?

1. India has high income and wealth inequality.
2. Large sections of the population are poor, illiterate, unemployed, and socially disadvantaged.
3. Without social justice, economic growth benefits only a few, creating a rich–poor divide.
4. Social justice ensures balanced development, where growth reaches SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, women, and economically weaker sections.

Remark: Economic growth without social justice = development without equality.

Constitutional Basis

The Preamble speaks of justice – social, economic, political.

• Fundamental Rights ensure equality before law and prohibition of discrimination.
• Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) guide the state to frame welfare-oriented economic policies.

Examples:

• Art. 39(b): Distribution of resources for common good.
• Art. 39(c): Prevent concentration of wealth.
• Art. 43: Living wage for workers.
• Art. 47: Raise level of nutrition and standard of living.

Historical Evolution of Economic Policies for Social Justice

1. Post-Independence (1950s–1980s)

• Planned economy with Five-Year Plans.
• Focus on land reforms, public sector, and poverty reduction.
• Green Revolution improved food security.

2. Post-Liberalization (1991 onwards)

• Shift to market economy with liberalization, privatization, and globalization (LPG).
• Economic growth increased, but inequality widened.
• New social justice policies like MGNREGA, Right to Education, Food Security Act were introduced.

3. Present Scenario

• Inclusive growth is the main agenda.
• Focus on employment, skill development, rural development, women empowerment, digital inclusion, and social welfare schemes.

Dimensions of Social Justice in Economic Policies

1. Poverty Alleviation Policies

• Programmes to reduce poverty and provide basic needs.

Examples:

• MGNREGA (2005) – Right to work (100 days guaranteed wage employment).
• PM Awas Yojana – Housing for all.
• National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) – Pensions for poor, widows, disabled.

2. Land and Agrarian Reforms

• Land redistribution, abolition of zamindari, tenancy reforms.
• Aim: To provide land to landless and ensure social justice to farmers.

Remark: Land reforms succeeded in states like Kerala and West Bengal, but not fully in other regions.

3. Employment Policies

• Providing jobs and skill development to reduce inequality.

Examples:

• Skill India Mission – Training for youth.
• Start-Up India / Stand-Up India – Support for entrepreneurs, women, SC/ST communities.
• PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana – Employment-oriented skill training.

4. Education and Health Policies

• Access to education and health is essential for social justice.

Examples:

• Right to Education Act (2009) – Free and compulsory education up to 14 years.
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme – Improves nutrition and school attendance.
• Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY – Health insurance for poor families.

5. Food and Nutrition Security

• Ensures that poor and vulnerable groups have access to affordable food.

Examples:

• Public Distribution System (PDS).
• National Food Security Act (2013) – Food at subsidized rates to 67% population.
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme – For school children.

6. Reservation Policies

• Reservation in education, employment, and politics for weaker sections.

Examples:

• 15% reservation for SCs, 7.5% for STs, 27% for OBCs.
• 10% reservation for EWS (Economically Weaker Sections) introduced by 103rd Constitutional Amendment (2019).

7. Gender Justice and Women Empowerment

• Equal pay, maternity benefits, safety, and financial inclusion.

Examples:

• Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 – 26 weeks of maternity leave.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao – Education and safety of girl child.
• Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under NRLM – Women-led microfinance.

8. Environmental Justice

• Sustainable development policies to protect marginalized communities dependent on natural resources.

Examples:

• Forest Rights Act (2006) – Rights of tribal communities.
• National Green Tribunal (2010) – Ensuring justice in environmental matters.

Table: Social Justice Through Economic Policies

Policy Area	Example Policy	Social Justice Aim
Poverty Alleviation	MGNREGA	Employment & income support
Land Reform	Abolition of Zamindari	Empower farmers & landless
Education	RTE Act, 2009	Equal access to schooling
Health	Ayushman Bharat	Affordable healthcare
Food Security	NFSA, PDS	End hunger & malnutrition
Women Empowerment	Maternity Benefit Act	Gender justice
Reservation	SC/ST/OBC/EWS quotas	Representation & equity
Environment	Forest Rights Act	Justice to tribals & future generations

Judicial Role in Linking Social Justice and Economic Policies

• Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973) – Justice is part of basic structure.
• Indra Sawhney Case (1992) – Upheld reservation for OBCs.
• Olga Tellis Case (1985) – Right to livelihood as part of Right to Life (Art. 21).
• Right to Education Case (2009) – Declared education as a fundamental right.

Achievements of Economic Policies for Social Justice

1. Significant reduction in poverty (from ~45% in 1993 to ~21% in 2011, as per Planning Commission).
2. Improved literacy rates, especially among SCs, STs, and women.
3. Expansion of healthcare and food security coverage.
4. Rise of middle class due to reservation and affirmative action.

Challenges in Implementation

1. Regional Imbalance – Benefits not evenly spread across states.
2. Leakages and Corruption – PDS, MGNREGA face misuse.
3. Inequality Rising – Oxfam report shows top 1% hold over 40% of India’s wealth.
4. Reservation Politics – Demands for more quotas create conflicts.
5. Digital Divide – Technology-driven schemes exclude poor without internet access.

Way Forward

1. Inclusive Growth Strategy – Focus on marginalized communities.
2. Better Implementation – Reduce corruption and leakages in welfare schemes.
3. Skill-Based Education – To link social justice with employment.
4. Strengthen Social Security – Universal health coverage, pensions, unemployment insurance.
5. Balanced Reservation Policy – Ensure both equity and efficiency.
6. Use of Technology – Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), Aadhaar to reduce leakages.

Conclusion

Social justice and economic policies are two sides of the same coin. While economic policies ensure growth, social justice ensures that growth is inclusive and equitable.

The Indian Constitution provides the framework for combining both. From land reforms to MGNREGA, from RTE to Ayushman Bharat, India has made progress. But challenges like inequality, corruption, and regional imbalance remain.

For India to achieve true development, economic policies must prioritize the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable. Only then can we fulfill the dream of a just and equal society as envisioned by our Constitution makers.

Quote:
“The measure of progress in any society is the progress of the weakest sections.” – Dr. B.R. Ambedkar