The Supreme Court is likely to pronounce its verdict on the issue of freebies today. There has been an uproar in India for the last few days regarding freebies or free schemes. The Center is appealing to the states to rein in freebies. At the same time, Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party, Tamil Nadu's DNK, and Andhra's YSR Congress parties are challenging the Center in the Supreme Court on the freebies issue.
BJP leader filed public interest litigation in January 2022
In January 2022, BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay reached the Supreme Court with a PIL against freebies. In his petition, Upadhyay had appealed to voters of political parties to put a stop to promises of freebies or freebies during elections. It has demanded that the Election Commission should cancel the recognition of such parties.
The central government, agreeing with Ashwini, appealed to the Supreme Court to fix the definition of freebies. The Center said that if the distribution of freebies continues, it will lead the country to a "future economic disaster".
What happened in the Supreme Court so far?
The freebies case is being heard by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice JK Maheshwari, and Justice Hima Kohli. Let us know step by step what has happened so far in the hearing of this case…
August 03, 2022: Supreme Court says a committee should be set up to decide on the freebies issue. This includes Central, State Governments, NITI Aayog, Finance Commission, Election Commission, RBI, CAG, and political parties.
August 11, 2022: Supreme Court said, 'There is a need to feed the poor, but there is a need to balance the welfare of the people, as the economy is losing money due to freebies. We agree that there is a difference between freebies and welfare.
August 17, 2022: Court said, 'Some people say that political parties cannot be stopped from making promises to voters...Now it has to be decided what freebies are. Can healthcare for all, access to drinking water... schemes like MGNREGA, which make life better, be considered freebies?' The court asked all the parties in the matter to give their views.
August 23, 2022: The Supreme Court will hear the matter and can give some important decisions.
Election Commission shunned the issue of freebies
During the hearing in the Supreme Court, the Election Commission said that it is not in the power of the Election Commission to regulate the policies adopted by the parties on freebies. It is the policy decision of political parties to promise freebies before elections or to give them after elections. Taking any action without making rules in this regard would be an abuse of the powers of the Election Commission.
Get to know what different organizations have to say about freebies
The term freebies first appeared in American politics in the 1920s. The word freebie means something that is given to you for free.
According to the Election Commission of India, 'there is no clear legal definition of freebies.' Providing life-saving medicines, food, or money during a natural disaster or pandemic can save lives, but if given regularly, These will be called freebies.
According to the Reserve Bank of India, “freebies do not have a clear definition, but expenditure on schemes such as the Public Distribution System, the National Job Guarantee Scheme, and government-sponsored education and health, or social welfare schemes that have deep economic benefits.” They are not freebies.
According to the RBI, "free electricity, free water, free public transport, outstanding bills and loan waivers, and farmer loan waivers come with benefits such as freebies."
According to RBI, "Schemes that weaken the credit culture, worsen prices due to subsidies, reduce private investment and reduce labor force participation are freebies."
According to experts, the actual meaning of freebies depends on who, where, and when this question is being asked. What was once called freebies became the inspiration for the national plan a few years later.
For example, in the 1960s, K Kamaraj in Tamil Nadu started a scheme for free meals for school children. MG Ramachandran took it forward in 1982. It was initially criticized as freebies. Later a similar scheme became a national scheme named Mid-Day Meal.
The national scheme named National Food Security Program was launched only after Andhra Pradesh CM NT Rama Rao's rice scheme for Rs 2 a kg. The free medicine scheme launched in Tamil Nadu later became the inspiration for the National Health Scheme.
Some economists believe that as long as a state is financially strong enough to afford freebies, it is fine. If it is not, then freebies are like a burden on the economy. At the same time, some experts believe that the purpose of freebies is to trick the voters.
Where do parties get their freebie money?
Freebies from political parties like free electricity and water come from the tax money of the general public. Experts say that distributing freebies is like keeping money in your left pocket and withdrawing it from your right pocket. Freebies affect the economic condition of the state and put the government in trouble.
Also Read: Supreme Court bluntly on 'Rewari culture', only SC will decide free gift
AAP-BJP fight reached murder-suicide: Sisodia said - there was a conspiracy to kill Kejriwal, Manoj Tiwari surrounded the suicide of AAP leader
Amidst the MCD elections, there is a continuous blame game between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party. Delhi's Deputy CM Manish Sisodia held a press conference at 10 am on Friday. Said- BJP is plotting
China does not want to reduce tension on LAC: Indian Army will also stand firm; ITBP to set up additional posts in Arunachal
After the 17th round of talks with China, it has become clear that it is not willing to reduce the tension in the border dispute. As a result, the Indian Army will still stand on the 3,488 km long LAC
Andhra Pradesh: First flood alert at Prakasam barrage, Meteorological department issues alert
The first flood warning was issued at Prakasam Barrage in Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada on Friday morning. A high alert has been issued in the low-lying areas of the Krishna river. Explain that the
One country one election: JPC Chairman PP Chaudhary said- States will be visited from May 17, and suggestions will be sought directly from the public
After the Waqf law, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) formed for 'One Country, One Election' is going to start touring states across the country from May 17. The committee will first visit
Himachal: Warning to the Himachal government, seven percent fine will be imposed if the money for central schemes is not spent on time
The central government has warned the Sukhu government of the state not to spend the money on the central schemes. This warning has been given in the case of funding centrally funded schemes. Prateek
Rahul broke security rules 113 times since 2020: CRPF told Home Ministry; Congress had complained about the lapse in security
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has submitted its reply to the Ministry of Home Affairs in connection with the security lapse of Rahul Gandhi. CRPF said that Rahul has broken security rules
Death sentence to 5 people in Iran: These protesters were accused of killing a soldier, 11 including 3 children were jailed
Five anti-hijab protesters have been sentenced to death in Iran. According to the statement issued by the Judiciary Department, imprisonment has also been announced for 11 people. These include 3
Warehouses: Food storage infrastructure will be strong, and houses equipped with state-of-the-art technology will be built in five states
Grain storage infrastructure in five states including Uttar Pradesh will soon be equipped with state-of-the-art technology. For this, the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) has received
Covid 19 India: Precautionary steps started to fight Covid, instructions to pharmaceutical companies to keep adequate stock
India has started taking precautionary measures to deal with it amidst apprehensions of the resurgence of Covid infection. In this series, Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya held a meeting
Cryptocurrency: Green in the NFT market, Bitcoin is up five percent, and Ethereum also up three percent
The cryptocurrency market is showing slight gains. Bitcoin, the world's largest digital token, is trading at $19,088 with a gain of over 5%. According to CoinGecko, the global crypto market cap is
