Supreme Court criticises freebies ahead of elections: 'What kind of culture are you cultivating'

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Thursday came down heavily on all states over distribution of freebies ahead of elections. Slamming the freebies culture, the top court said it was high time to revisit such policies that hamper the country's economic development.

"What kind of culture are we developing in India? It is understandable that as part of the welfare measure you want to provide to those who are incapable of pay the electricity charges," the bench asked.

The SC-bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi asked states whether distributing freebies without distinction between those who can afford and who cannot doesn't amount to an appeasing policy.

Taking note of the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd's plea, which proposed to provide free electricity to all irrespective of financial status of consumers, the apex court said it was quite understandable if states hand-hold the poor.

" ... But without drawing a distinction between those who can afford and those who cannot, you start distributing," CJI Surya Kant said.

The Supreme Court observed that indiscriminate distribution of freebies can hamper the country's economic development. It stressed that governments should prioritise generating employment opportunities rather than offering free food, bicycles, electricity and other such benefits to all.

"Most of the states in the country are revenue deficit states and yet they are offering such freebies” overlooking development, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said.

"States should work to open avenues for employment. If you start giving free food, free power, free gas from morning to evening, you are directly transferring cash in the account... Then who will work and then what will happen to the work culture. Is it the nation building we are doing?," CJI Surya Kant added.

The top court emphasised 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 Bagchi added.