Supreme Court Slams Election 'Freebies Culture'
India's Supreme Court has criticized the practice of offering "freebies" during election campaigns, arguing it hinders the country's economic development. The court stated that state governments should prioritize creating employment opportunities over distributing largesse. The comments highlight a growing tension between populist politics and long-term economic strategy.
- The specific remarks were made by a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant while hearing a petition from the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation challenging a rule related to electricity subsidies. - A separate Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is set to be heard by a three-judge bench in March 2026, which seeks to declare the promise of "irrational freebies" a corrupt practice under the Representation of the People Act. - The Economic Survey 2025-26 warned that unconditional cash transfers by states have surged fivefold since FY23, reaching an estimated ₹1.7 lakh crore and leading to wider revenue deficits. - N.K. Singh, chairman of the Fifteenth Finance Commission, has cautioned that this trend could lead to "sub-national bankruptcies" and distorts state expenditure away from critical infrastructure and environmentally sustainable practices. - The court has attempted to distinguish between populist "freebies" and legitimate "welfare schemes," stating that while the state has a duty to support the needy, it questions indiscriminate largesse to those who can afford to pay. - The Election Commission of India (ECI) has previously filed an affidavit stating that offering freebies is a policy decision of political parties and that the ECI cannot regulate it, placing the onus on voters to assess their feasibility. - This judicial scrutiny follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2022 criticism of "revdi culture" (a culture of distributing sweets to win votes), highlighting an ongoing political and economic debate on the issue.
