Why political freebies don't work
2 years, 10 months ago

Why political freebies don't work

India Today  

From free rations up to five years to free ghee and gas cylinders to smartphones and tablets—this poll season, like many others, is about offering freebies to woo voters. To woo voters, the BJP and Samajwadi party are offering freebies that include free gas cylinders, a kilo of ghee, free rations for five years and so on. In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party has promised free medicines, free parking, pension increases of Rs 2,500, free education in primary schools and no tax on electricity bills. According to the Reserve Bank of India, the combined fiscal deficit of all the states rose from 1.93 per cent of gross state domestic product in 2011-12 to 3.5 per cent in 2016-17, over the three per cent threshold required to be maintained under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act.

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History of this topic

Freebies, cash and lots of personal touch: Kejriwal's campaign cocktail for Delhi
Trending News
1 week ago

Freebies, cash and lots of personal touch: Kejriwal's campaign cocktail for Delhi

India Today  

Once again, it’s raining freebies for Delhiites in election season. While BJP leaders have derided AAP’s schemes as “freebies”, Kejriwal dismissed these criticisms with confidence. Promising life and accident insurance worth Rs 15 lakh, financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh for their daughters’ weddings, Rs 2,500 uniform allowance twice a year and free coaching classes for their children, Kejriwal called …

Explained: From ₹290 cr to ₹3,250 cr – a decade of AAP govt’s free power spending in Delhi
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Explained: From ₹290 cr to ₹3,250 cr – a decade of AAP govt’s free power spending in Delhi

Live Mint  

In the run up to Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party – the two opposition parties – have promised to continue giving free electricity to the residents, if they come to power defeating the ruling Aam Aadmi Party. 77 % subsidies on zero electricity bills The AAP government in Delhi offers its flagship schemes – …

Explained: From ₹290 cr to ₹3,250 cr – a decade of AAP govt's free power spending in Delhi
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Explained: From ₹290 cr to ₹3,250 cr – a decade of AAP govt's free power spending in Delhi

Live Mint  

The AAP government's free electricity scheme in Delhi has skyrocketed from ₹ 290 crore to ₹ 3,250 crore over the past decade, benefiting millions. 77 % subsidies on zero electricity bills The AAP government in Delhi offers its flagship schemes – direct subsidy mainly on electricity, water and bus rides for women. Year Delhi Govt's Spent on Electricity Subsidy 2014-15 …

Arvind Kejriwal Exclusive: Former CM Highlights Concern for Delhi’s Future, Watch Full Interview
2 weeks, 3 days ago

Arvind Kejriwal Exclusive: Former CM Highlights Concern for Delhi’s Future, Watch Full Interview

ABP News  

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, reflecting on his 177 days in jail, described the experience as mentally challenging, sharing that he was kept in isolation, lost significant weight, and had to approach the court to receive insulin. In an exclusive interview with ABP News, he accused the BJP of targeting him and the Aam Aadmi Party, claiming that if …

400 free electricity units: Congress makes big poll promise for Delhi, after BJP pledges to continue AAP schemes
2 weeks, 6 days ago

400 free electricity units: Congress makes big poll promise for Delhi, after BJP pledges to continue AAP schemes

Live Mint  

The Congress party has promised free electricity up to 400 units each month if it assumes power in Delhi in the upcoming assembly elections. This comes a day after the Bharatiya Janata Party said that it will continue the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government's free electricity, water subsidies and and free bus rides for women should it come to power …

BJP promises to continue free electricity, water schemes in Delhi; AAP dismisses it as ‘electoral jumla’
3 weeks ago

BJP promises to continue free electricity, water schemes in Delhi; AAP dismisses it as ‘electoral jumla’

Live Mint  

The Bharatiya Janata Party has said that it will continue the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government's free electricity, water subsidies and and free bus rides for women should it come to power in the national capital in the upcoming assembly elections. South Delhi Member of Parliament and chairman of the BJP's manifesto committee for Delhi assembly elections, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri …

Freebies are not fiscally sustainable but there’s no need to ban them
1 month, 1 week ago

Freebies are not fiscally sustainable but there’s no need to ban them

Live Mint  

In the lead-up to elections, Indian politics frequently centres around promises of state- Such handouts have become a staple of political manifestos, offering immediate relief to certain groups. However, Delhi’s relatively high per capita income of ₹414,711 allows the government to fund such schemes without much fiscal strain. Singapore’s model demonstrates how institutional frameworks can ensure that welfare benefits are …

Maharashtra budget: A pre-poll strategic play of social engineering
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Maharashtra budget: A pre-poll strategic play of social engineering

The Hindu  

The budget presented by the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra last week ahead of the upcoming Assembly election reflects the outgoing dispensation’s attempts to balance or at least project a semblance of social engineering with populist schemes. Targeting ‘silent’ voters The introduction of the Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin, based on neighbouring BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh’s popular Ladli Behna Yojana, aims to …

Free electricity, subsidies till 2025 - Highlights from Delhi cabinet meeting
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Free electricity, subsidies till 2025 - Highlights from Delhi cabinet meeting

Live Mint  

Arvind Kejriwal's Delhi government has extended the scheme for zero electricity bills and subsidies till 2024-25, said Minister Atishi after CM's emergency cabinet meeting on Thursday. “I am extremely glad to announce that in today's cabinet meeting, it has been decided that free electricity bills and subsidies will continue in 2024-2025 as well for the people of Delhi,” said AAP …

Delhi Budget: Transport decelerated with 40% budget cut...
9 months, 2 weeks ago

Delhi Budget: Transport decelerated with 40% budget cut...

New Indian Express  

NEW DELHI: Public transport, the city’s lifeline, saw a major decline in budget allocation in fiscal provisions for 2024-25. The Delhi government has allocated 5,702 crore to the transport sector and related infrastructure, a reduction of 39% from the previous fiscal year, when the government had set aside Rs 9,337 crores in 2023-24 for this sector. Atishi, presenting the budget, …

India’s government announces a short-term budget until national elections are held by May
10 months, 3 weeks ago

India’s government announces a short-term budget until national elections are held by May

Associated Press  

NEW DELHI — India’s finance minister unveiled on Thursday a short-term budget to meet government expenditures until national elections are held by May, saying it will boost spending on infrastructure projects, build homes for poor villagers and cut the fiscal deficit by reducing subsidies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government faces criticism for not creating enough jobs despite offering billions of …

DC Edit | Freebies vs essentials row rages ahead of elections
1 year, 2 months ago

DC Edit | Freebies vs essentials row rages ahead of elections

Deccan Chronicle  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last year launched a campaign against what he called the “revari culture”, i.e., political parties sweetening their election promises with too many freebies including cash, food grains, electricity, utensils, unemployment benefits, etc. BJP chief minister in Madhya Pradesh Shivraj Singh Chouhan is literally on a freebie spree, offering liberal help to voters, especially women. It …

Delhi govt presents ₹78,800 crore budget for 2023-24 after a day’s delay
1 year, 9 months ago

Delhi govt presents ₹78,800 crore budget for 2023-24 after a day’s delay

Hindustan Times  

The Delhi government on Wednesday presented ₹78,800 crore budget estimates for the financial year 2023-24 in the legislative assembly, with focus on enhancing the national Capital’s infrastructure, sanitation, transportation facilities besides the usual focus on health and education. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and finance minister Kailash Gahlot arrive for the budget presentation at the legislative assembly on Wednesday. The …

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 …

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 …

Rewadi war: Here's all you need to know about election freebies
2 years, 4 months ago

Rewadi war: Here's all you need to know about election freebies

India Today  

The freebie culture has made it to the centrestage of Indian politics. Telangana Rashtra Samithi Member of Legislative Council Kalvakuntla Kavitha said on Tuesday said that welfare schemes for poor people are not ‘freebies,’ and waiving loans of “dupe agencies” are actual freebies. Congress- Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Jaya Thakur told the Supreme Court that freebies in elections, such as …

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 …

Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia calls out Centre over freebies debate. Read here
2 years, 4 months ago

Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia calls out Centre over freebies debate. Read here

Live Mint  

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia reportedly slammed the Centre on their 'quid pro quo' approach, in the wake of attacks and counter-attacks regarding the 'Revdi politics' on freebies. The Delhi Deputy Chief Minister said that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman should take note of the examples from all over the world where education and health services are free of cost. …

What’s wrong in providing free education and health care: Kejriwal
2 years, 4 months ago

What’s wrong in providing free education and health care: Kejriwal

The Hindu  

The Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener on Saturday continued his defence of welfare schemes against the criticism of political parties offering “freebies” or what Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently termed the “revadi culture”. “What’s better, the government providing free education and health or waiving loans of certain corporates?” he said during an interaction with traders and …

Free electricity upto 300 units: Kejriwal proposes ‘Delhi Model’ in Gujarat
2 years, 5 months ago

Free electricity upto 300 units: Kejriwal proposes ‘Delhi Model’ in Gujarat

Live Mint  

Arvind Kejriwal, the national convener of the Aam Aadmi Party, pledged on July 21 that - if his party won the election in Gujarat this year - free electricity up to 300 units per month would be provided. He had stated that the Aam Aadmi Party, if elected to power in Gujarat, would share its agenda with the state's citizens …

People of Gujarat must get free electricity: Kejriwal
2 years, 5 months ago

People of Gujarat must get free electricity: Kejriwal

The Hindu  

Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party convener, on Monday promised that people of Gujarat will get free electricity if his party is voted to power in the forthcoming Gujarat Assembly election to be held later this year. On the second day of his visit to the poll-bound State, Mr. Kejriwal addressed a town hall “Bijli Jansamvad” event …

UP Election 2022: Congress complains to EC against BJP in Manipur
2 years, 9 months ago

UP Election 2022: Congress complains to EC against BJP in Manipur

India TV News  

While addressing a rally at Chandauli in Uttar Pradesh, UP CM Yogi Adityanath said, "Election trends of six phases show that BJP's score has crossed quarter to 300. When the election results will come on March 10, then only BJP will be visible in the entire state and due to this fear, many leaders of SP-BSP have started making their …

Kejriwal Slams Opposition Over Its Criticism of Providing Free Electricity In Goa
3 years, 1 month ago

Kejriwal Slams Opposition Over Its Criticism of Providing Free Electricity In Goa

ABP News  

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party National Convener Arvind Kejriwal slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress over its criticism for Kejriwal promising free electricity in Goa, reported ANI. Questioning the opposition for criticism he said that if ministers can get 3,000 units of free electricity then what is wrong in giving 300 units of free …

Delhi Budget 2021 LIVE Updates: Singapore-Level Per Capita Income By 2047, Free Covid-19 Vaccine in Govt Hospitals, Says Manish Sisodia
3 years, 9 months ago

Delhi Budget 2021 LIVE Updates: Singapore-Level Per Capita Income By 2047, Free Covid-19 Vaccine in Govt Hospitals, Says Manish Sisodia

News 18  

Delhi Budget 2021 LIVE Updates: Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia is presenting the seventh budget in the assembly today, which is expected to have a special allocation for free COVID-19 vaccination at Delhi government hospitals. Vaccination is currently underway in Delhi at 192 hospitals, including 56 run by the Delhi government, for people aged 60 years and above and …

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