Sop or welfare debate: The Hindu Editorial on freebies
2 years, 4 months ago

Sop or welfare debate: The Hindu Editorial on freebies

The Hindu  

A general concern over ‘freebies’ pushing the economy to ruin or unviable pre-election promises adversely affecting informed decision-making by voters seems reasonable. However, few will disagree that what constitutes ‘freebies’ and what are legitimate welfare measures to protect the vulnerable sections are essentially political questions for which a court of law may have no answer. The Chief Justice of India, N.V. Ramana, heading a Bench hearing a petition filed in public interest against the distribution or promise of ‘freebies’ ahead of elections, has made it clear that the Court is not going to issue guidelines, but only ensure that suggestions are taken from stakeholders such as the NITI Aayog, Finance Commission, Law Commission, RBI and political parties. The Court’s concern over populist measures seems to resonate with the Government too, as the Solicitor-General submitted that these distorted the voter’s informed decision-making; and that unregulated populism may lead to an economic disaster.

Court Eci Bench  court  debate  voters  freebies  welfare  promises  editorial  measures  legislature  sop  law  eci  issue  hindu

History of this topic

Ex-RBI Governor bats for imposing restraints on freebies by political parties, gives THESE suggestions
8 months ago

Ex-RBI Governor bats for imposing restraints on freebies by political parties, gives THESE suggestions

India TV News  

Former Reserve Bank of India Governor D Subbarao said the Modi government should come out with a 'White paper' to generate consensus among political parties on the issue of giveaways or freebies. On some of the states crossing Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management limits, he said states and the central government should maintain fiscal discipline and the FRBM targets should …

'Important Matter': CJI DY Chandrachud Agrees To Hear Plea On Election Freebies
9 months ago

'Important Matter': CJI DY Chandrachud Agrees To Hear Plea On Election Freebies

Live Law  

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud was requested to have an early hearing of the petition raising the issue of political parties promising electoral freebies. Senior Advocate Vijay Hansaria, appearing for petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay, requested an earlier listing of the pending matter of the distribution of freebies from public funds by Political Parties. There are …

Why should freebies be opposed?
1 year, 3 months ago

Why should freebies be opposed?

Deccan Chronicle  

A news story in a Tamil newspaper caused a flutter last week. Hastening to answer these two questions that the debates on social media threw up and the criticism of some politicians raised in other forums, too, I would say ‘no.’ Giveaways, gifts, free lunches and compliments are part of human civilization and sloth among people cannot be blamed on …

‘Death by a thousand cuts’: India must be prepared for highly sophisticated, well-funded toolkits seeking regime change
1 year, 6 months ago

‘Death by a thousand cuts’: India must be prepared for highly sophisticated, well-funded toolkits seeking regime change

Firstpost  

An article on 2020 US presidential elections, Death by a thousand cuts: How Trump was robbed, details how Donald Trump was made to lose not by “in the face” criminality-like outright hacking of voting machines, but what can be better described as “death by thousand cuts”. The article talks about how they changed election laws just before the polls in …

Doing Freebies Math: Why there are no easy solutions
1 year, 10 months ago

Doing Freebies Math: Why there are no easy solutions

India Today  

While releasing his recent book, BJP MP Varun Gandhi made a strong pitch for regulating freebies culture. In October 2022, ECI released a standard pro-forma to be used by political parties to disclose how they would fund their poll promises, a move that provoked heated response from opposition parties, with some of them calling it an “interference in their democratic …

Manish Tewari | Freebies and welfare: Time to define critical difference
1 year, 11 months ago

Manish Tewari | Freebies and welfare: Time to define critical difference

Deccan Chronicle  

While India is perennially on an election treadmill, with 10 state elections and a national election coming up in the next 18 months it is perhaps an apposite time to discuss the issue of freebies, i.e. Further, the RBI estimated that the cost of freebies announced in 2022-23 ranged between zero per cent to 2.7 per cent of the GSDP …

Freebies to allure voters, welfarism a policy intervention for inclusive growth: BJP in letter to EC
2 years, 1 month ago

Freebies to allure voters, welfarism a policy intervention for inclusive growth: BJP in letter to EC

Firstpost  

Making a distinction between freebies and welfarism, the BJP has suggested in a reply to the poll panel that parties should place emphasis on voter empowerment and capacity building rather than increase the dependency of people, a party insider said. New Delhi: Making a distinction between freebies and welfarism, the BJP has suggested in a reply to the Election Commission …

Freebies to allure voters, welfarism policy intervention: BJP in letter to EC
2 years, 1 month ago

Freebies to allure voters, welfarism policy intervention: BJP in letter to EC

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: Making a distinction between freebies and welfarism, the BJP has suggested in a reply to the Election Commission that parties should place emphasis on voter empowerment and capacity building rather than increase the dependency of people, a party insider said. “The BJP has suggested that emphasis should be on empowering voters, increasing their capacity, imparting them skills to …

Affidavits will not fix freebies
2 years, 2 months ago

Affidavits will not fix freebies

Hindustan Times  

In what appears to be yet another effort to tackle the problem of freebies, the Election Commission of India has proposed – views of political parties have been sought on the issue – an amendment to the Model Code of Conduct for elections. The proposed amendment asks that political parties come clean on the fiscal costs of political promises made …

Freebies are deciding factor in AP polls; Opposition follows YSRC in freebies
2 years, 3 months ago

Freebies are deciding factor in AP polls; Opposition follows YSRC in freebies

Deccan Chronicle  

VIJAYAWADA: Freebies will be a deciding factor in elections in Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister Jagan Reddy, banking on his government’s flawless welfare schemes implementation, started a negative campaign against Chandrababu Naidu by warning the people that these benefits would be stopped if the TD comes to power. The Navaratnalu welfare schemes are the main strengths of Jagan now, as he …

Polls in Andhra Pradesh to see fight over freebies
2 years, 3 months ago

Polls in Andhra Pradesh to see fight over freebies

Deccan Chronicle  

VIJAYAWADA: Freebies will be a deciding factor in elections in Andhra Pradesh. TD chief Chandrababu Naidu has announced that, if elected to power, he will provide more welfare aid to people than the present Jagan government. Chief Minister Jagan Reddy, banking on his government’s flawless welfare schemes implementation, started a negative campaign against Chandrababu Naidu by warning the people that …

Poorly-directed freebies may have adverse consequences on economy: Experts
2 years, 3 months ago

Poorly-directed freebies may have adverse consequences on economy: Experts

Firstpost  

The Supreme Court recently said freebies at the cost of taxpayers’ money may push the country towards imminent bankruptcy New Delhi: Poorly-directed freebies may wreak havoc on state finances and have adverse consequences on the economy as in the case of Sri Lanka, experts say while noting it is important to define a freebie and how it is different from …

Sops for votes: The Hindu Editorial on election promises
2 years, 3 months ago

Sops for votes: The Hindu Editorial on election promises

The Hindu  

After considering the formation of an expert body to examine the issues relating to political parties promising free goods to voters in their election manifestoes, the Supreme Court has stayed its hand and referred the issue to a three-judge Bench. Also referred for deeper consideration is the correctness of an earlier judgment in S. Subramaniam Balaji vs Tamil Nadu, which …

Freebies necessary for welfare of poor: KTR
2 years, 3 months ago

Freebies necessary for welfare of poor: KTR

Deccan Chronicle  

HYDERABAD: IT and industries minister K.T. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said freebies were needed to distribute among the poor and people under Below Poverty Line for their daily expenses and came down heavily on the BJP for its move to stop welfare schemes terming them freebies. “If we offer pension schemes for old age people and differently-abled, these …

Don\'t burden utilities, pay for freebies from budgets: FM
2 years, 3 months ago

Don\'t burden utilities, pay for freebies from budgets: FM

Deccan Chronicle  

MUMBAI: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday said political parties that come to power on pre-poll promises of freebies should pay for those through budgetary provisions. Citing the example of free electricity being promised in many states, the finance minister said the burden for the freebies should not be thrust upon the power discoms or gencos. You should be, …

Are freebies a way to mask state inaction?
2 years, 4 months ago

Are freebies a way to mask state inaction?

The Hindu  

In March 2021, Thulam Saravanan, a legislative Assembly candidate for the Madurai South constituency in Tamil Nadu, offered extraordinary sops such as ₹1 crore and a car worth ₹20 lakh for each household, a robot for every homemaker, ₹1 crore to youth looking to start a business, a 100-day trip to the moon, a 300-feet artificial glacier to keep people …

All Political Parties Are in Favour of Freebies, Says Supreme Court
2 years, 4 months ago

All Political Parties Are in Favour of Freebies, Says Supreme Court

News 18  

New Delhi: All political parties including BJP are in favour of freebies and due to this a judicial attempt has been made to deal with it, said the Supreme Court on Tuesday while deliberating with a PIL opposing promises of such handouts by the parties during polls. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that nobody has an issue with the social …

Freebies come at a price: economist
2 years, 4 months ago

Freebies come at a price: economist

The Hindu  

Freebies are never ‘free’ and when political parties offer such schemes, they must be required to make the financing and trade-offs clear to voters, RBI Monetary Policy Committee Member Ashima Goyal said on Sunday, adding this would reduce the temptation towards “competitive populism”. Noting that this hurts production and resource allocation and imposes large indirect costs, such as the water …

Freebies are never 'free'; subsidies that distort prices are harmful, says RBI MPC member Ashima Goyal
2 years, 4 months ago

Freebies are never 'free'; subsidies that distort prices are harmful, says RBI MPC member Ashima Goyal

Firstpost  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has in recent days hit out at the competitive populism of extending ‘rewaris’ or freebies which are not just wastage of taxpayers’ money, but also an economic disaster that could hamper India’s drive to become Atmanirbhar New Delhi: Freebies are never ‘free’ and when political parties offer such schemes, they must be required to make the …

End this asymmetrical conflict over ‘freebies’
2 years, 4 months ago

End this asymmetrical conflict over ‘freebies’

The Hindu  

The issue of ‘freebies’ has bounced back, when the Supreme Court of India on August 3, 2022, recommended constituting an expert committee comprising representatives of the beneficiaries, Union and State governments, the Finance Commission, NITI Aayog and the Reserve Bank of India to study the issue of ‘freebies’. On ‘Trickle down economics’ In the famous Reagan tax cuts, or Reaganomics, …

Time to dump the ‘revari’ culture: Aspirational India needs organic growth, and not freebies
2 years, 4 months ago

Time to dump the ‘revari’ culture: Aspirational India needs organic growth, and not freebies

Firstpost  

While some discretion should remain with political parties on determining handouts, let the expert panel suggested by the Supreme Court throw up viable suggestions and make this a part of electoral reforms New India after 75 years of Independence no longer wants to wait ad infinitum to attain better job opportunities and essential living amenities. Currently, ‘true debt’ of state …

Should there be limits on ‘freebies’
2 years, 4 months ago

Should there be limits on ‘freebies’

The Hindu  

While hearing a petition demanding the de-recognition of political parties that promise “irrational freebies” to voters, the Supreme Court recently drew attention to the substantial fiscal cost of freebies. Also, even if people are sitting at the top of the income distribution pyramid, you could still see something that the petitioner describes as a “freebie” as a welfare measure. But …

Should there be limits on ‘freebies’? | The Hindu Parley podcast
2 years, 4 months ago

Should there be limits on ‘freebies’? | The Hindu Parley podcast

The Hindu  

While hearing a petition demanding the de-recognition of political parties that promise “irrational freebies” to voters, the Supreme Court recently drew attention to the substantial fiscal cost of freebies. The court noted that a legislation banning freebies is not advisable, but at the same time called for a balance between welfare measures and loss to the public exchequer. The Supreme …

Voters prefer to earn a dignified earning over freebies: Supreme Court
2 years, 4 months ago

Voters prefer to earn a dignified earning over freebies: Supreme Court

The Hindu  

Voters, if given a chance, will prefer to earn a dignified earning through welfare schemes such as MNREGA and create public assets in rural India. The court was hearing a petition to curb the practice of offering or distributing “irrational freebies” at the cost of public money, especially in debt-ridden States during the run-up to elections. ‘Don’t confuse freebies with …

Can't stop political parties from making promises, issue of freebies is complicated: Supreme Court
2 years, 4 months ago

Can't stop political parties from making promises, issue of freebies is complicated: Supreme Court

Firstpost  

The top court was hearing a plea filed by Tamil Nadu’s ruling party DMK which challenged the definition of freebies saying that welfare schemes introduced by a state government cannot be dubbed as a freebie New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said that it cannot stop political parties from making promises and that the issue of freebies is complicated. …

"Freebies" Issue Getting Complicated, Are Promises For Free Education, Free Drinking Water "Freebies"? Supreme Court
2 years, 4 months ago

"Freebies" Issue Getting Complicated, Are Promises For Free Education, Free Drinking Water "Freebies"? Supreme Court

Live Law  

The Supreme Court on Wednesday, while considering a plea seeking directions to the Election Commission of India to not permit political parties to promise freebies during election campaigns, orally opined that the issues raised in the matter were getting increasingly complicated. While deliberating upon what constituted social welfare, the Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta stated that- "If our understanding …

Freebies can become burden for future, says former RBI Governor
2 years, 4 months ago

Freebies can become burden for future, says former RBI Governor

The Hindu  

Former Reserve Bank of India Governor D. Subba Rao on Monday sought to caution how freebies unless targeted can become a burden for future generations. Mr. Rao, responding to queries after delivering an address on India @75 - Marching Towards $5 Trillion Economy, said this pointing to how the Prime Minister has triggered a debate on the important issue. To …

How AAP's freebie spree is changing Gujarat poll narrative
2 years, 4 months ago

How AAP's freebie spree is changing Gujarat poll narrative

India Today  

From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a battery of BJP leaders has spoken out against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal’s “politics of freebies.” On Thursday, the Supreme Court said freebies are a serious issue because the economy is losing money due to them. But while the BJP, from its central leadership to leaders in Gujarat, is …

Supreme Court not in favour of derecognising political parties over freebies
2 years, 4 months ago

Supreme Court not in favour of derecognising political parties over freebies

The Hindu  

The Supreme Court on August 11, 2022 refused to consider the question of derecognising political parties who resort to freebies. The apex court was considering the question of reining in the practice of political parties offering "irrational freebies" to the electorate if they are voted to power, especially in states which are already drowning in debt. Sheer loss to national …

‘Freebies’ can be lifesavers during dire times: Election Commission
2 years, 4 months ago

‘Freebies’ can be lifesavers during dire times: Election Commission

The Hindu  

What is considered "freebies" in normal times can be lifesavers during a disaster or a pandemic, the Election Commission of India told the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The top poll body was giving the apex court its take on a petition filed by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay to ban the practice of political parties promising "irrational freebies", especially during election time …

Poll panel in Supreme Court backs committee to curb electoral freebies
2 years, 4 months ago

Poll panel in Supreme Court backs committee to curb electoral freebies

India Today  

The Election Commission of India on Wednesday came in support of instituting a committee as suggested by the Supreme Court to take a holistic view on how to curb the culture of freebies in elections. Filing the counter affidavit on a PIL by advocate Ashwani Upadhyay, the poll panel said, "Setting up any such expert body, having representation from a …

TRS MLC K Kavitha hits out at Centre over 'freebies' remark
2 years, 4 months ago

TRS MLC K Kavitha hits out at Centre over 'freebies' remark

India Today  

Hitting out at the Centre over the ‘freebies’ remarks, Member of Legislative Council Kalvakuntla Kavitha of Telangana Rashtra Samithi on Tuesday said that welfare schemes for poor people are not ‘freebies’, however, the actual freebies are the loan waivers of ‘dupe agencies’. It is our responsibility as a state government to keep the best interests of the poor in mind,” …

'Education, healthcare not freebies': AAP tells Supreme Court
2 years, 4 months ago

'Education, healthcare not freebies': AAP tells Supreme Court

India Today  

Asserting that socio-economic welfare schemes for the marginalised population cannot be termed as freebies, the Aam Aadmi Party has sought the Supreme Court's intervention in a pending petition on the issue. "Directive Principles of State Policy of the Constitution reinforced the idea that the state should pursue a socialist and welfarist program for bringing an equitable social order where every …

India’s ‘Freebie Politics’: Why SC’s ‘Expert Panel’ May Be of Little Help
2 years, 4 months ago

India’s ‘Freebie Politics’: Why SC’s ‘Expert Panel’ May Be of Little Help

The Quint  

The Supreme Court of India has decided to set up a committee with representation from the Niti Aayog, the Finance Commission, the Election Commission, the Reserve Bank of India and political parties to study the impact of ‘freebies’ on taxpayers and economy and recommend measures to regulate it. The court wanted an independent expert body to study the pressing issue, …

Supreme Court calls for a panel to look into freebies issue
2 years, 4 months ago

Supreme Court calls for a panel to look into freebies issue

The Hindu  

August 03, 2022 01:58 pm | Updated 11:09 pm IST - NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on August 3 said the Parliament may not be able to effectively debate the issue of doing away with "irrational freebies" offered to voters during elections, saying the "reality" is that not a single political party wants to take away freebies. The observations from …

Supreme Court calls for expert panel to regulate freebies offered during elections
2 years, 4 months ago

Supreme Court calls for expert panel to regulate freebies offered during elections

India Today  

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said there is a need for an apex body consisting of members from the Niti Aayog, the Finance Commission, ruling and opposition parties, the Reserve Bank of India and other stakeholders, to make suggestions on how to control freebies given by political parties during election campaigns. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, meanwhile, said "mindless" freebies would …

Making sense of the ‘freebies’ issue
2 years, 4 months ago

Making sense of the ‘freebies’ issue

The Hindu  

August 03, 2022 12:16 am | Updated 12:12 pm IST Concern over ‘freebies’ in Indian politics has recently been expressed by those in the highest offices in the country. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Bundelkhand Expressway on July 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned youth not to get carried away by the ‘revari culture’, where votes are sought …

The problem of freebies and how we define them
2 years, 5 months ago

The problem of freebies and how we define them

Live Mint  

How free is a freebie? And so, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent warning about election-driven fiscal populism is well taken, especially since states finances remain weak. The PM called it a culture of distributing free revri—a sesame-filled sweet that is often tossed into bonfires at north Indian harvest festivals. Scholars have called the Modi government’s redistribution agenda ‘new welfarism’, with …

'No Different From Offering Freebies': Delhi HC Dismisses Challenge To Practice Of Political Parties Promising "Cash Benefits" In Election Manifestos
2 years, 7 months ago

'No Different From Offering Freebies': Delhi HC Dismisses Challenge To Practice Of Political Parties Promising "Cash Benefits" In Election Manifestos

Live Law  

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a PIL challenging the alleged practice of political parties offering cash benefits in lieu of votes during elections. The development ensued in a petition filed by Parashar Narayan Sharma stating that practice of political parties offering cash benefits purportedly in lieu of votes is against the spirit of Section 123 of the Representation of …

Are freebies affecting the economic growth of India?
2 years, 7 months ago

Are freebies affecting the economic growth of India?

The Hindu  

In an address delivered at the Delhi School of Economics last week, N.K. He also noted that freebies could be harmful for the long-term economic growth of the country and emphasised the need to distinguish between productive and unproductive forms of welfare spending. Broadly speaking, in common parlance, fiscal stability is a situation in which the government is able to …

Offering freebies either before or after election is policy decision of the party concerned: ECI to SC
2 years, 8 months ago

Offering freebies either before or after election is policy decision of the party concerned: ECI to SC

Firstpost  

Earlier, petitioner lawyer Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay in his plea had sought direction from the Centre and Election Commission of India to take steps to regulate political parties and to make them accountable for their manifesto promises New Delhi: The Election Commission of India has told the Supreme Court that offering any freebies either before or after the election is a …

What courts have said on 'freebies' from parties during elections
2 years, 8 months ago

What courts have said on 'freebies' from parties during elections

India Today  

During a lengthy meeting with PM Narendra Modi on April 2, several top bureaucrats expressed concern over populist schemes and freebies announced by political parties during assembly elections. On January 25, 2022, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Election Commission of India and the Centre on the issue of political parties wooing voters with the promise of freebies …

Election freebies: An easy tool for parties to woo voters
2 years, 9 months ago

Election freebies: An easy tool for parties to woo voters

India TV News  

Highlights Freebies have taken a prominent place in India's electoral politics. EC had to issue notice to political parties over wooing voters with the promise of freebies Regional parties like Samajwadi Party also joined the freebies race this election Freebies have taken a prominent place in India's electoral politics. Such is a situation that the Supreme Court had to issue …

Promise of freebies in polls a \'serious issue\', asserts SC
2 years, 10 months ago

Promise of freebies in polls a \'serious issue\', asserts SC

Deccan Chronicle  

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Centre and the Election Commission on a plea seeking to curb the political parties from promising freebies in their election manifestos, thereby putting under further strain the exchequer of already debt-ridden state finances. Describing the issue as “serious”, Chief Justice N.V. Ramana, heading a bench also comprising Justice A.S. …

The need to move away from clientelism
3 years, 1 month ago

The need to move away from clientelism

The Hindu  

A neoliberal economy encourages private capital and the market, while forcing the state to withdraw from welfare. Even as the poor perceive the state as an arbitrator of their well-being and a facilitator for their mobility in all spheres of life, today’s political parties resort to unsolicited freebies to attract them. of Tamil Nadu, which challenged the freebies of both …

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