New Delhi, August 11
Taking note of former Chief Justice of India Rangnath Mishra’s letter seeking a direction to the Centre for educating citizens about their fundamental duties, the Supreme Court has directed the Centre to implement the recommendations of the Constitution Review Commission and a judicial committee about making people aware of their fundamental duties.

“We direct the Centre to take appropriate steps for their implementation as expeditiously as possible,” a three-judge Bench, comprising Chief Justice Mr V.N. Khare, Mr Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Mr Justice S.B. Sinha, in its judgement said while disposing of the matter.

The court had treated Justice Mishra’s letter to the Chief Justice of India as a writ petition. It had said that to create a right balance between fundamental rights and fundamental duties of the citizens, they needed to be educated properly.

The court was informed by senior advocate K. Prasaran, who was appointed amicus curiae to assist the Bench in adjudicating the matter, that the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) had incorporated in its report the recommendations of the Justice J.S. Verma panel regarding the operationalisation of fundamental duties of the citizens.

The NCRWC had made strong suggestion for the implementation of the recommendations, the court said adding in the light of its suggestion, the government is directed to implement these by evolving educational curricula.

“First and foremost step required to be taken by the Union and the state governments is to sensitise the people to create general awareness of the provisions of fundamental duties on the lines of Justice Verma committee,” the NCRWC had said.