'Habits are getting spoilt due to freebies', Supreme Court expressed concern over freebies.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said on the promise of political parties to give freebies (free things) before elections that instead of bringing people into the mainstream for national development, are we not creating a class of parasites.

The bench of Justice BR Gavai and Augustine George Masih also said that people are not ready to work because they are getting free ration and money.

Justice Gavai asked that instead of making them a part of the mainstream of the society by contributing to the development of the nation, are we not creating a class of parasites?

Unfortunately, due to these freebies like Ladki Behen and other schemes announced just before the elections, people are not ready to work.

Court made important comment

The court was hearing a case related to the right to shelter of homeless persons in urban areas. The court said that people are getting free ration and money without working. We appreciate your concern for them, but would it not be better if they are made a part of the mainstream of society and given a chance to contribute to the development of the nation?

What did the petitioner's lawyer say?

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for one of the petitioners, said that there would hardly be anyone in the country who would not want to work if he had work. To this, Justice Gavai said that you have only one-sided information. I come from a farming family. Farmers are not getting laborers due to the free facilities announced before the elections in Maharashtra.

However, the court said that it does not want to debate on this issue. The court said that everyone, including Attorney General R. Venkataramani, is unanimous on the fact that proper attention should be paid to providing shelter to homeless people. But, at the same time, should it not be balanced?

Attention is not being given to the issue of homelessness

Venkataramani told the bench that the central government is in the process of finalizing the urban poverty eradication mission. Under this, various issues including the provision of shelter for the homeless in urban areas will be resolved.

During the hearing, a petitioner said that it is unfortunate that the issue of homelessness is not being given attention, as it is at the bottom of the priority.

The court got angry when the petitioner claimed that the authorities have shown mercy only for the rich, not for the poor. Justice Gavai said that do not give Ramlila Maidan type of speech in this court, and do not make unnecessary allegations. Do not give political speeches here.

We will not allow our courts to become a place for political fight. How can you say that mercy is shown only for the rich? Even for the government, how can you say this? It is not a good thing to say that the government has not done anything for the poor or has not shown concern for them.

Three lakh urban homeless in Delhi alone

Prashant Bhushan, counsel for one of the petitioners, said that as per the details placed before the bench, a total of 2,557 shelter homes were sanctioned by the states and Union Territories till December 4, 2024. 1,995 shelter homes are operational with a capacity of 1.16 lakh beds.

A survey has revealed that there are about three lakh urban homeless in Delhi alone. According to the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, the total capacity of the shelters is 17,000 persons, of which only 5,900 have beds. The board's counsel said that it is currently operating 197 shelter homes in Delhi with a total capacity of 17,000 persons.