Our problem is fiscal mismanagement and not freebies
Live MintRecent weeks have seen increasing apprehensions raised by India’s political leadership as well as the judiciary on the increasing tendency of governments and political parties to promise ‘freebies’ to citizens. On 15 July, speaking at a function in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concerns about the ‘revdi’ culture of political parties promising freebies to garner votes. The way the debate is currently framed, freebies appear to be any goods and services given free of cost by the government to citizens. How Sapient Wealth’s Amit Bivalkar aced 14% returns How NBFCs are wooing students heading abroad What can put IRCTC stock on growth path Rich-poor gap shows up in smartphone sales as well While many would like to make a distinction that considers essentials like nutrition, health and education both necessary and part of the constitutional obligations of the state, there have been objections to various other goods provided by state and central governments.
History of this topic
Affidavits will not fix freebies
Hindustan Times
Defining ‘freebies’ in the time of the Goods and Services Tax
The Hindu)
Poorly-directed freebies may have adverse consequences on economy: Experts
Firstpost
Don\'t burden utilities, pay for freebies from budgets: FM
Deccan ChronicleFreebies come at a price: economist
The Hindu)
Freebies are never 'free'; subsidies that distort prices are harmful, says RBI MPC member Ashima Goyal
Firstpost
Should there be limits on ‘freebies’
The Hindu
Should there be limits on ‘freebies’? | The Hindu Parley podcast
The Hindu
Freebies can become burden for future, says former RBI Governor
The Hindu
Making sense of the ‘freebies’ issue
The Hindu
States, freebies and the costs of fiscal profligacy
The HinduDiscover Related
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No one went hungry as Centre provided free food grains to 80 crore people, says Sitharaman in Budget 2023 speech
Hindustan Times
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