Supreme Court on Freebies

On 25^th January, 2022, the Supreme Court issued notice to Centre and the Election Commission on a PIL against the promises of distribution of irrational freebies from public funds before polls.

The plea contended that the promise of irrational freebies, which are not for public purposes, from public funds before election, violates Articles 14, 162, 266(3), and 282 of the Constitution.

Impact of Freebies: Extra Burden on Exchequer

• Long-term Fiscal Burden: Providing such freebies puts a long-term burden on the government. One such example is the case of Oil bonds.
• Lethargy Population: This increasing phenomenon, over the last 72 years has actually turned the nation’s population into lethargy and starts demanding some kind of freebies from the Govt.
• More Suffering for the Poor: The corrupt politicians and middlemen wipe away the benefits and the poor have to suffer from their share of benefits.