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.
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