Verma Committee on Fundamental Duties
Also called: Justice J.S. Verma Committee (1999) · Topic: Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Verma Committee on Fundamental Duties was set up in 1999 and led by Justice J.S. Verma. It studied how the fundamental duties in Part IVA (Art. 51A) could be made to work. Courts cannot directly enforce these duties. The committee found that many of them are already backed by existing laws. It also urged that the duties be taught in schools and spread through public awareness campaigns.
Example
The committee listed laws that already support the duties. These were:
- the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act 1971
- the Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955
- IPC ss.153A-153B on promoting enmity between groups (now BNS ss.196-197)
- UAPA 1967 and the Representation of the People Act 1951
- the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 and the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980
In Ranganath Mishra (2003), the Supreme Court ordered steps to spread awareness of the duties along the lines the Verma Committee had suggested.
Don't confuse with
- Swaran Singh Committee (1976): it was set up by the Congress party during the Emergency and recommended adding duties to the Constitution. It suggested eight, and the 42nd Amendment added ten. The Verma Committee came later and looked at how the existing duties could be put into practice.