ANYONE WHO LACKS THE SELF-RESPECT WILL ONLY BE A BEGGAR TO TAKE UP FREEBIES; SOINDIVIDUALLY PEOPLE MUST FEEL THAT THEY ARE OBJECTS TO BE RESPECTED. KR IRS 10526
On Sun, 10 May 2026 at 07:34, Suryanarayana Ambadipudi < [email protected]> wrote: > Any political party dare to deny freebies to voters including distribution > of cash. ? > Lotus and Modi are no exceptions. > > First Let the fellows rewrite constitution and discard reservations > > Crying in wood and wasting our precious time discussing these issues > > > > *A.SURYANARAYANA* > *The less you speak,the more you are listened to* > > On Sun, 10 May 2026 at 7:26 AM, Rajaram Krishnamurthy < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> The Supreme Court (SC) has expressed deep concern over the growing trend >> of political parties and state governments announcing freebies and direct >> cash transfers to woo voters. >> >> SC questioned whether such populist measures amount to "appeasement" and >> warned they are hindering national development, reigniting the debate >> between freebies and genuine welfare. >> >> Summary >> >> Freebies offer short-term relief but risk fiscal unsustainability and >> dependency. >> >> Welfare policies, rooted in DPSP, target long-term human development >> through planned expenditure. >> >> Solutions include conditional transfers, FRBM strengthening, voter >> awareness, and distinguishing merit goods from populist freebies. >> >> What are Freebies? >> >> About: Freebies refer to public welfare measures or benefits provided >> free of charge by governments or promised by political parties, typically >> to attract voter support during elections. >> >> Key Characteristics: Freebies are populist and distortionary, designed to >> win votes by diverting funds from crucial long-term investments. >> >> They are also unsustainable and unproductive, creating a burden on state >> finances and fostering a culture of dependency rather than self-reliance. >> >> Common Examples: >> >> Utility Subsidies: Free electricity (up to certain units) for farmers or >> households, free water connections. >> >> Consumer Goods: Free distribution of laptops, TVs, mixer-grinders, etc. >> >> Food and Essentials: Free food grains beyond PDS, monthly free ration kits >> >> Loan Waivers: Waiving farmer or other community loans. >> >> Cash Transfers: Direct cash doles to specific groups like unemployed >> youth or women. >> >> Legal and Institutional Landscape: >> >> Supreme Court: In the S. Subramaniam Balaji Case, 2013, the SC ruled that >> freebies fall within legislative policy and are beyond judicial scrutiny. >> It emphasized that certain freebies align with the Directive Principles of >> State Policy (DPSP). >> >> In 2022, the SC decided to set up an expert group with representation >> from NITI Aayog, Finance Commission, Election Commission, RBI, and >> political parties to study the impact of freebies and recommend regulatory >> measures, but it was ultimately not formed. >> >> While hearing a PIL in 2025, the SC condemned pre-election freebies, >> warning free ration and money discourage work and create a "class of >> parasites". >> >> Election Commission of India: Under its Model Code of Conduct and >> manifesto guidelines, it states that while manifestos cannot be treated as >> corrupt practices under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, parties >> should avoid commitments likely to vitiate the purity of elections or exert >> undue influence. >> >> Reserve Bank of India: RBI defines freebies as welfare measures distinct >> from merit goods like education, warning that competitive announcements of >> loan waivers, free electricity, and cash transfers crowd out infrastructure >> spending and strain state budgets. >> >> What Concerns are Associated with Freebies in India? >> >> Rising Debt Burden: According to the Economic Survey 2025–26, >> unconditional cash transfers and populist freebie schemes implemented >> across Indian States are estimated to cost approximately Rs 1.7 lakh crore >> in FY26. Combined gross fiscal deficit of states rose from 2.6% of GDP in >> FY22 to 3.2% in FY25, with outstanding liabilities at about 28.1% of GDP. >> >> Crowding Out of Productive Capital: Freebie spending crowds out critical >> infrastructure by sacrificing capital expenditure—which offers stronger, >> more durable growth—whenever fiscal pressures mount. This diversion from >> long-term investments ultimately undermines medium-term economic growth and >> development priorities. >> >> Electoral and Democratic Concerns: Promise of irrational freebies from >> public funds before elections unduly influences voters, and disturbs the >> level playing field. Such practices amount to an unethical practice similar >> to giving bribes to the electorate. >> >> Creation of Dependency Culture: For beneficiaries, cash transfers form >> 11–24% of monthly income for female casual labourers and up to 87% for some >> self-employed women, raising concerns about long-term dependency. It >> discourages self-reliance and entrepreneurship vital for sustainable >> economic growth. >> >> E.g., Venezuela's provision of free food, transport, and services >> fostered a non-productive population, ultimately contributing to the >> country's economic collapse around 2000. >> >> Limited Impact on Developmental Outcomes: While freebies improve >> consumption and short-term income stability, they do not consistently >> improve child nutrition, education outcomes, or enable sustained exits from >> poverty. Such outcomes depend on complementary public services and jobs, >> not cash transfers alone. >> >> Benefits of Freebies >> >> Foundation for Welfare Schemes: The Mid-Day Meal Scheme, first introduced >> in 1956 by Tamil Nadu, was adopted nationally later. NT Rama Rao's Rs 2/kg >> rice scheme in Andhra Pradesh laid the foundation for today's National Food >> Security Program. >> >> Telangana's Rythu Bandhu and Odisha's KALIA schemes served as precursors >> to the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) for farmer support. >> >> Educational Access: A NITI Aayog report stated that distribution of >> bicycles to schoolgirls in Bihar and West Bengal has significantly reduced >> dropout rates, enhanced attendance and improved learning outcomes. >> >> Women Empowerment: Freebies like bus passes for women can encourage women >> to join the workforce, leading to economically stable families and women >> empowerment. States like Tamil Nadu and Bihar provide women with sewing >> machines that enhance livelihood opportunities. >> >> Food Security: Food security schemes like the Public Distribution System >> (PDS) and Mid-Day Meal ensure basic sustenance, preventing extreme poverty. >> >> Economic Stimulus: Cash transfer generates demand-side stimulus that >> benefits small businesses and local manufacturers. >> >> Democratic Participation: Freebies can foster political awareness and >> public trust by demonstrating government accountability and responsiveness >> to citizens' needs. >> >> What is the Freebies Vs Welfare Debate? >> >> Aspect Freebies Welfare Policies / >> Schemes >> 1Welfare >> >> >> >> Definition Public welfare measures provided free of charge, often >> short-term and populist in nature. >> >> Structured, >> rights-based or developmental interventions aimed at long-term >> socio-economic upliftment, human capital formation, and equity (aligned >> with Directive Principles of State Policy). >> >> >> >> 2 Primary Objective >> >> >> >> Immediate voter appeal, electoral gains, or short-term relief/populist >> appeasement. >> >> Sustainable improvement >> in living standards, poverty reduction, skill development, and social >> justice. >> >> >> >> 3 Time Horizon >> >> Short-term; often announced or expanded near elections with limited >> sustainability planning. >> >> Long-term; >> designed for enduring impact and institutional continuity. >> >> 4 Targeting >> >> Frequently universal (e.g., free electricity/water for all consumers, >> regardless of income). >> >> Targeted toward >> vulnerable/marginalized groups (e.g., poor, women, children, rural >> unemployed) to avoid wasteful universal coverage. >> >> 5 Fiscal Sustainability >> >> Often strains state budgets, crowds out capital expenditure, and >> contributes to revenue deficits or contingent liabilities. >> >> Prioritizes >> fiscal prudence; focuses on merit goods with high multiplier effects on >> growth and development. >> >> 6 Economic Impact >> >> May create dependency, distort markets, erode credit discipline (e.g., >> loan waivers), and divert resources from >> infrastructure/education/healthcare. >> >> Promotes human development, >> reduces inequality, enhances productivity, and supports inclusive growth. >> >> >> >> 7 Examples >> >> Free laptops, smartphones, televisions, bicycles, universal free >> electricity, direct cash transfers without strict need-based criteria, farm >> loan waivers. >> >> Public Distribution System >> (PDS), Mid-Day Meal Scheme, targeted healthcare/education programs, >> nutrition schemes. >> >> >> >> What Steps are Needed to Curb Freebies? >> >> Differentiate between Freebies and Welfare: Establish policy guidelines >> differentiating essential welfare from electoral freebies using objective >> criteria such as social utility, long-term human development impact, fiscal >> sustainability, targeting effectiveness, and outcome orientation. This >> framework should classify merit goods separately from non-merit consumption >> subsidies. >> >> Budgetary Discipline: Strengthen the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget >> Management (FRBM) Act, 2003 to prevent reckless fiscal spending by states. >> Mandate that all subsidy schemes include sunset clauses and periodic review >> mechanisms. >> >> Improve tracking of off-budget borrowings and hidden subsidies (e.g., >> underpricing of electricity) through strengthened financial regulators. >> >> Enhancing Voter Awareness: Foster informed public discourse on the >> opportunity cost of freebies—what is foregone (schools, hospitals, roads) >> when resources are diverted to consumption subsidies. Encourage civil >> society organizations and media to scrutinize electoral promises and their >> fiscal implications. >> >> Learning from International Best Practices: Cash support can be designed >> as conditional, review-based, and time-bound, reducing long-term fiscal >> rigidity while strengthening human capital outcomes. >> >> E.g., Mexico's Progresa and Brazil's Bolsa Familia link cash transfers to >> verifiable actions such as school attendance and health check-ups. >> >> Strengthening Legal Framework: Explore amendments to the Representation >> of the People Act, 1951 to address undue influence through freebie >> promises. Strengthen the legal framework requiring parties to disclose >> funding sources and fiscal viability of manifesto promises. >> >> KR NOW TELL ME WHO CAN BELL THE CAT? >> >> Conclusion >> >> The freebies versus welfare debate represents India's core governance >> challenge i.e., balancing electoral democracy with fiscal prudence. While >> freebies offer short-term relief, they risk undermining long-term >> development. The path forward lies in designing conditional, targeted, and >> time-bound welfare schemes that build human capabilities rather than >> dependency, ensuring sustainable and inclusive prosperity. >> >> XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX >> >> K RAJARAM IRS 10526 >> >> On Sun, 10 May 2026 at 05:02, Dr Sundar <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Namaskaram >>> >>> *"KNOW THYSELF .* >>> *SELF KNOWLEDGE IS REAL KNOWLEDGE.* >>> *ALL OTHER KNOWLEDGE IS IGNORANCE AND THEY ARE NO KNOWLEDGE " * >>> *~~~ Bhagavan Ramana* >>> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "societyforservingseniors" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to [email protected]. >>> To view this discussion, visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/society4servingseniors/CAF%3D8Bw1kwsVLAx7P0Y6J%2BqG%3Drwww7nDhzOrdn%2Bdn8Fs0Vjhvag%40mail.gmail.com >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/society4servingseniors/CAF%3D8Bw1kwsVLAx7P0Y6J%2BqG%3Drwww7nDhzOrdn%2Bdn8Fs0Vjhvag%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "societyforservingseniors" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To view this discussion, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/society4servingseniors/CAL5XZorXC%3DLBoznVMtywnX89Efb9BHWCE2TZnY5a8AnX%2B1mVfg%40mail.gmail.com >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/society4servingseniors/CAL5XZorXC%3DLBoznVMtywnX89Efb9BHWCE2TZnY5a8AnX%2B1mVfg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. 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