Supreme Court bluntly on 'Rewari culture', only SC will decide free gift

The discussion about Revdi culture has been in full swing in the country for a long time. In this episode, the Supreme Court said on Wednesday that the Supreme Court will decide what is the definition of a gift. Chief Justice Justice NV Ramana asked all the parties to submit their suggestions to the court by Saturday. The matter will be heard on Monday. The Supreme Court, while considering a petition seeking not to allow promises of gifts to political parties, observed that the issues raised in the matter are becoming increasingly complex.

The Supreme Court said that we will decide what is the gift of freebies. During the hearing, the court asked whether universal health care, access to drinking water, and access to education can be considered gifts. We need to define what a gift is. Can we call the promise of free fertilizers to farmers and free education to children gifts? It remains to be seen what is the right way to spend public money.

However, the Supreme Court has also said that we cannot stop political parties from making promises. The question is, what are true promises, can we describe the promise of free education as a gift? Can free drinking water, minimum required units of power, etc. be described as freebies? Can consumers describe the product and free electronics as wellness?

The court said that the concern today is the right way to spend public money. Some people say money is wasted, some people say it is welfare work. The issues are becoming increasingly complex. You give your opinion, finally, we will decide after debate and discussion.

The Supreme Court is considering the petition filed by BJP leader Ashwini Upadhyay. Political parties like Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, and DMK have sought intervention in the matter.

Aam Aadmi Party: Election promises not under review

The Aam Aadmi Party has demanded that election speeches and promises should be kept out of the purview of review. The party has said that the promises, claims, and speeches made before the elections come under freedom of speech. How can they be stopped? The party has said that the composition of the expert committee to be formed in this matter is not proper.

Congress: Concessions necessary for the constitutional obligation

Madhya Pradesh Congress leader Jaya Thakur said in the petition that the ruling parties were bound to provide the subsidy. The petition said that schemes for the upliftment of weaker sections cannot be called gifts. Thakur has opposed Upadhyay's plea and sought to be made a party to the case.

It has been said in the petition that it is the duty of the ruling parties running the government to uplift the weaker sections of the society and make schemes. Provide subsidy for this. The petition said that the subsidies and concessions given to the citizens are constitutional obligations and necessary for democracy.

DMK: Many aspects to be considered

The ruling DMK government of Tamil Nadu has said in the matter of freebies that its scope is wide. Many aspects need to be considered. It states that this practice can bring economic ruin to a state. Chief Minister MK Stalin's DMK, in its petition, argued that only a welfare scheme done by the state government cannot be classified as a gift.

It has been said in the petition, that the ruling government at the Center is giving tax exemption to foreign companies, and debt waiver of influential industrialists is being done. He said that the petitioner was trying to convert India from a socialist country to a capitalist country and the PIL would defeat the objectives of the Directive Principles of State Policy. On this the court said that you have presented your side, now let the court decide.

Central Government: Fear of economic disaster due to gifts

On behalf of the Central Government, SG Tushar Mehta said that our understanding of social welfare is to distribute everything for free, so I am sorry that this understanding is immature. He said that there should be a limit to giving freebies. Freebies affect the decision-making ability of voters and can lead to economic disaster.

Also Read: Crops Production: Wheat production may decrease on record production of cereals, pulses and oilseeds will increase