Delhi CM Rekha Gupta calls for targeted welfare: ‘Freebies dangerous for growth’

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta

Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday cautioned against the culture of freebies, saying such measures could be “dangerous” for a city’s long-term prosperity.

Speaking at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, Gupta said while economic growth and fiscal discipline are essential for moving the city forward, welfare policies must be carefully designed to genuinely uplift those at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder.

“I agree that freebies are dangerous for a city to prosper. But we need to support the bottom of the pyramid,” she said, underlining the importance of targeted assistance.

The chief minister also stressed that the cooperation of all sections of society is necessary for Delhi’s development. At the same time, she emphasised that those “standing in the last row” must not be left behind.

“It's also crucial to help those in need, standing in the last row, so they can join the main line and survive and feed their families,” Gupta added.

Last week, the Supreme Court slammed the freebies and subsidies culture ahead of elections and said it was “high time” to revisit such policies that hamper the country’s economic development.

Observing that the ultimate financial burden of such populist measures falls squarely on the shoulders of taxpayers, a bench headed by chief justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant asked, “But this money which the state says it will pay now. Who will pay for it? This is taxpayers’ money.”

The observations were made during the hearing of a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited which proposed to give free electricity to all irrespective of consumers paying capacity.

“It is understandable when some people cannot afford, you have to provide. There are children who cannot afford education, so the state must provide. It is the state’s duty. There are children who are bright but cannot afford to go to medical colleges. The state must help them. But the persons who can enjoy, have all means available and are affluent and therefore any kind of freebie first comes to their pocket. Is it not high time for the states to revisit these policy frameworks,” the CJI asked.