<p class="bodytext">The debate on freebies in Indian politics is not new. Freebies have existed in many forms, and in many names but it is now that they have taken high priority in government policies and political strategies. Subsidies, giveaways, free public goods such as electricity and water and loan waivers were always part of the agenda – many of them had a social purpose and a welfare underpinning. But too many freebies could prove counterproductive for both the beneficiary and the benefactor. Welfare measures are a means to support and empower the citizens or groups and they are needed in a backward and unequal society. Even developed countries offer welfare measures to citizens, but most of them have an institutional basis and come with conditions. However, the preponderance of the measures, as seen now in India, would disempower the beneficiary and make her dependent on them.</p>.Freebies dominate poll debate, peoples' issues take a backseat.<p class="bodytext">The Supreme Court’s observation that a “class of parasites” has been created by freebies should be seen in this light. The court used a strong word but it points to a situation where people lose the incentive to work because of the freebies they get. A bench of B R Gavai and Augustine Masih said that freebies announced by political parties were a reason for people’s reluctance to do hard work, as free rations and some money are available. Justice Gavai said workers are not available for farms in Maharashtra because their minimum needs are met with state doles. The situation exists in many other states as well. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also issued a warning against the fiscal deficit caused by freebies. State governments that have extended largesse for political and electoral purposes are finding it difficult to balance their budgets and find resources for spending on health, education, infrastructure development and other needs.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Freebies are shortcuts to please people. The very need for them arises from the failure of governments to provide good governance and take care of the needs of all people. In recent years, parties have become aware of their electoral utility and have engaged in competitive populism, offering more and more freebies. That makes politics and elections transactional. The citizen voter becomes a beneficiary whose decisions are influenced by the offers. This emerging political culture also gives an unfair advantage to ruling parties as they are better placed to offer freebies and distribute them before the elections. While welfare politics is certainly legitimate, the problem is that the line between a welfare measure and an unhealthy freebie has become very thin and is being obliterated by parties and governments.</p>
<p class="bodytext">The debate on freebies in Indian politics is not new. Freebies have existed in many forms, and in many names but it is now that they have taken high priority in government policies and political strategies. Subsidies, giveaways, free public goods such as electricity and water and loan waivers were always part of the agenda – many of them had a social purpose and a welfare underpinning. But too many freebies could prove counterproductive for both the beneficiary and the benefactor. Welfare measures are a means to support and empower the citizens or groups and they are needed in a backward and unequal society. Even developed countries offer welfare measures to citizens, but most of them have an institutional basis and come with conditions. However, the preponderance of the measures, as seen now in India, would disempower the beneficiary and make her dependent on them.</p>.Freebies dominate poll debate, peoples' issues take a backseat.<p class="bodytext">The Supreme Court’s observation that a “class of parasites” has been created by freebies should be seen in this light. The court used a strong word but it points to a situation where people lose the incentive to work because of the freebies they get. A bench of B R Gavai and Augustine Masih said that freebies announced by political parties were a reason for people’s reluctance to do hard work, as free rations and some money are available. Justice Gavai said workers are not available for farms in Maharashtra because their minimum needs are met with state doles. The situation exists in many other states as well. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also issued a warning against the fiscal deficit caused by freebies. State governments that have extended largesse for political and electoral purposes are finding it difficult to balance their budgets and find resources for spending on health, education, infrastructure development and other needs.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Freebies are shortcuts to please people. The very need for them arises from the failure of governments to provide good governance and take care of the needs of all people. In recent years, parties have become aware of their electoral utility and have engaged in competitive populism, offering more and more freebies. That makes politics and elections transactional. The citizen voter becomes a beneficiary whose decisions are influenced by the offers. This emerging political culture also gives an unfair advantage to ruling parties as they are better placed to offer freebies and distribute them before the elections. While welfare politics is certainly legitimate, the problem is that the line between a welfare measure and an unhealthy freebie has become very thin and is being obliterated by parties and governments.</p>
