RLD chief questions inclusion of Ficci, CII representatives in 'Freebies' panel

Lucknow: Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Jayant Chaudhary on Friday questioned the inclusion of representatives of industry bodies Ficci and CII in the expert panel suggested by the Centre to examine the contentious issue of freebies offered by political parties during polls.

The Rajya Sabha member's comments came a day after the Centre told the Supreme Court that it would be appropriate to constitute an expert body "with representatives of all stakeholders".

"In its affidavit, the government has also said that the committee should include representatives of Ficci and CII. I want to ask the government, will representatives of these organisations decide what is revadi (freebies) and what is a decision taken for public welfare? This highlights the intent of the government," Chaudhary told ANI.


Chaudhary also said that while Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has made a statement saying subsidies on electricity led to losses by discoms. in UP Pradesh, the BJP had promised to give free electricity for irrigation to farmers before assembly polls. "So then I want to ask when Amit Shah told farmers of UP that they will not have to pay electricity bills, was it revadi?" said Chaudhary.