Supreme Court dismisses petition calling for economic assessment of freebies and cash benefit schemes. Bench says, “We are not inclined to entertain this petition.”
The Supreme Court of India has raised concerns over the growing trend of political parties announcing “freebies” ahead of elections, questioning whether such policies are fostering a culture of dependency rather than empowering citizens to contribute to national development. A bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih observed that instead of integrating people into the mainstream economy, these handouts might be discouraging individuals from actively participating in the workforce.
Today, On 12th February, The Delhi High Court refused to hear a petition by Justice SN Dhingra against election freebies. The court suggested that he approach the Supreme Court, as a similar case is already pending there. Justice Dhingra had challenged the distribution of freebies by political parties during elections. The decision directs the matter to the highest court for further consideration.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India, in a hearing held on Wednesday(12th Feb), criticized the practice of announcing freebies before elections, stating that it was affecting people’s willingness to work. The Court observed that due to receiving free rations and money, many people were not motivated to work.
The Supreme Court of India raised concerns about states prioritizing financial schemes over judicial officers’ pay during a hearing on a plea by the All India Judges Association. The Court questioned government priorities amid the freebie culture and emphasized the need for financial independence and better salaries to diversify and maintain an efficient judiciary.
Today, On 7th August, the Supreme Court reprimanded the Maharashtra government for prioritizing freebies over compensating citizens whose properties were acquired. The Ladli Behna scheme was specifically mentioned. The court warned against disregarding its orders and criticized the government for not submitting an affidavit regarding compensation. Failure to do so could result in the chief secretary appearing in person.
A government “by the people and of the people” should naturally provide ideal governance “for the people.” However, this is often far from reality. A fundamental issue with democracy is that voters do not always make rational or fully informed decisions. Political decision-making tends to be influenced by preconceived notions and a preference for instant gratification, which keeps many democracies focused on short-term growth. Consequently, the distribution of freebies undermines the integrity of elections, while negative campaigning by candidates significantly impacts voters’ perceptions and choices.
