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Supreme Court flags election freebie culture by political parties – ‘leads to worklessness among people…’
The Supreme Court has raised concerns about the detrimental effects of freebie culture on the willingness of individuals to work. As it examines the right to shelter for the urban homeless, the court urges integration into mainstream society to foster productivity and contribution.
The Supreme Court on February 12 took a dig at freebie culture and said people were unwilling to work as they were getting free ration and money. The top court said that providing freebies leads to worklessness among people and there should be an attempt to integrate homeless persons into the mainstream society so that they’re able to contribute and work.
“Unfortunately, because of these freebies… the people are not willing to work. They are getting free rations. They are getting amounts without doing any work,” a Bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih said while hearing a petition on the right to shelter homeless persons in urban areas.
“Providing freebies leads to worklessness among people, and there should be an attempt to integrate homeless persons into mainstream society so that they’re able to contribute and work,” the court said, according to the ANI news agency.
Attorney General R Venkataramani, who appeared on behalf of the Centre, told the court that the Union government is in the process of finalising the urban poverty alleviation mission, which would address various issues, including shelter for the urban homeless.
Better to make them a part of the mainstream
“We quite appreciate your concern for them, but would it not be better to make them a part of the mainstream of society and permit them to contribute to the development of the nation,” the Bench said.
In January this year, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar flagged the need for “accepted and legal answers” to curb the announcing of “freebies” by political parties during election campaigns.
Attorney General R Venkataramani, who appeared on behalf of the Centre, told the court that the Union government is in the process of finalising the urban poverty alleviation mission, which would address various issues, including shelter for the urban homeless.
“We quite appreciate your concern for them but would it not be better to make them a part of the mainstream of society and permit them to contribute to the development of the nation,” the Bench said.
In January this year, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar flagged the need for “accepted and legal answers” to curb the announcing of “freebies” by political parties during election campaigns.
“Our proforma is on our website. It is high time it was accepted and legal answers were found but our hands are tied at the moment because the matter is sub-judice,” Kumar said in response to a question while announcing dates of Delhi Assembly Elections 2025.
Earlier in 2013, the top court had held that freebies promised in poll manifestos vitiated the electoral process and asked the Election Commission to frame guidelines to check it in consultation of political parties.
The Supreme Court case on Wednesday concerned the right to shelter of unhoused persons in urban areas. In October 2022, the Courtdirected all states/UTs to file status reports.
Last year, it directed states/UTs of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Bihar to furnish their winter plans and the temporary measures initiated for the urban homeless.
Unfortunately, because of these freebies… the people are not willing to work.
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, who represented the petitioner. highlighted a two-fold problem: the inadequacy of shelters and the condition of the shelters during the hearing.
The top court has, for now, directed Home Ministry and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to verify the data submitted by the petitioners that shows the statewide position of the Urban homeless populace, news agency ANI said. Further, the court also directed the Centre to file its response stating details on the implementation of its scheme Urban Poverty Alleviation Mission, the agency said.
Key Takeaways
- The Supreme Court emphasizes the negative impact of free handouts on individual motivation to work.
- There is a call for integrating homeless individuals into society to enhance their contributions.
- Legal frameworks regarding the announcement of freebies during elections need to be established.
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Business NewsNewsSupreme Court flags election freebie culture by political parties – ‘leads to worklessness among people…’
First Published:12 Feb 2025, 03:54 PM IST
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