New Delhi: Despite repeated warnings from the Supreme Court that “freebies” are driving states further into debt and discouraging hard work, political parties across India continue to promise cash, gadgets, and free rations to voters before elections.
The court’s strong statements in February appear to have made little difference so far.
On February 19, a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant sharply criticised the practice of giving out free electricity, food, cycles, and cash without checking who actually needs help. The CJI asked, “If free food is given from morning to evening, then free electricity, then who will work? What kind of culture are we developing?” He also pointed out that states with budget deficits are still spending on these giveaways while important development projects are neglected.
In Tamil Nadu, parties are promising refrigerators to over two crore families, ₹10,000 cash, free bus travel, and monthly cash transfers to women that could rise from ₹1,000 to ₹2,000. West Bengal already runs the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme, giving women ₹1,500–1,700 per month, and rivals are talking of raising it further. Assam sees promises of two lakh government jobs, free education from KG to PG, and monthly cash to women. Even loan waivers keep coming, which the RBI has flagged as eroding the repayment habit.
States such as Tamil Nadu, with a debt of about ₹9.5 lakh crore, and West Bengal, with nearly ₹8 lakh crore in debt, are already under financial strain. Experts are concerned that funds intended for roads, schools, hospitals, and jobs are being used for short-term schemes that may win votes but harm long-term growth.
The Supreme Court has stated clearly that welfare for those who truly need it is acceptable, but giving out benefits to everyone before elections is risky for the economy.
With new state elections coming up, the main question is whether parties will take this warning seriously or if the cycle of promises and rising debt will go on.