'Why can't Centre form committee, call for all-party meeting', says Supreme Court on PIL opposing freebies

Highlights The Supreme Court on Wednesday queried the Central government on freebies matter 'Why can't Govt of India constitute committee to study the impact of freebies': CJI NV Ramana to SG SG Tushar Mehta replied that Centre will help in every way and statistics connected with the issue SC on freebies : The Supreme Court on Wednesday queried the Central government, why it can't form a committee to examine the impact of freebies promised by political parties to induce voters, and also the government can call for an all-party meeting to examine the issue. A bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana told the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, "Why can't the Government of India constitute a committee to study the impact of freebies." Pointing at political parties seeking to intervene in the matter in court, Mehta said parties claim fundamental rights, and what will the government do. The top court was hearing a PIL by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay seeking directions to the Centre and the Election Commission of India to take steps to regulate poll manifestos of political parties and also opposed the practice of political parties giving or promising freebies to induce voters during polls.