SC criticises freebie culture, says might hamper economic growth

The Supreme Court on Thursday has criticised the culture of freebies, saying such policies hamper India’s economic growth. Responding to a plea by the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd the court it was quite understandable if states hand-hold the poor.

“Most of the states in the country are revenue deficit states and yet they are offering such freebies” overlooking development, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi told PTI.

The bench noted that economic development gets obstructed with this kind of largesse distribution and added that state should focus on creating employment opportunities rather than distributing free food, cycles, or electricity


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The Supreme Court issued notices to the Centre and others on the plea, which challenges a provision of the Electricity Amendment Rules, 2024. The bench questioned the policy’s broad approach, warning it risks becoming an appeasement measure, and asked why the Tamil Nadu firm suddenly acted after electricity tariff was set.

“The states should work to open avenues for employment. If you start giving free food from morning to evening then free cycle, then free electricity then who will work and then what will happen to the work culture,” the CJI said told PTI.

With inputs from TOI