The Supreme Court on Thursday strongly criticised political parties across states for distributing “freebies” and raised concerns about their impact on public finances. The apex court said that instead of handing out resources through such schemes, parties should introduce planned policies that provide measures to improve people’s lives, such as unemployment schemes.
“The economic development of the nation will be hampered with this kind of largesse distribution Yes, it is the State’s duty to provide. But the ones who are enjoying freebies.. is it not something that should be looked at?” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant verbally observed.
The CJI added, “States are running into deficit but still giving freebies. See, 25 per cent of revenue you collect in a year, why can it not be used for the development of the State?”
The top court said that the issue was not confined to any one state but all states in the country.
“It’s not one State we are talking about, it’s about all states. It is planned expenditure. Why don’t you make Budget proposals and give justification that this is my outlay on unemployment of people?” Justice Joymalya Bagchi added.