'Free food, free electricity and free bicycles. What culture is this?'; SC raps TN govt over freebie culture

NEW DELHI: Freebie culture is a new normal for various states when elections are around the corner. The Supreme Court has now come up with strong criticism. The court asked how long this trend will continue. The bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant criticised the Tamil Nadu government and various state governments on a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Distribution Corporation against the Tamil Nadu government's announcement of free electricity ahead of the elections. The court opined that the freebie trend would hinder the development of the country.

“Free food, free electricity and free bicycles. What kind of culture are we creating across India? If you want to provide a welfare system for those who cannot pay their electricity bills, I understand. But what about giving the freebies to people who can afford them? Isn't that appeasing? ' Chief Justice Surya Kant asked the Tamil Nadu government.

The court said that people would lose interest in getting a job if everything is available to them for free.

“If a state has a revenue surplus, isn't it your duty to spend that money on the overall development of the people of the state and on roads, hospitals and schools? Instead, when the election time approaches, people are provided with food, clothes and other necessities through a freebie scheme. What is happening in this country?” the court opined.

In addition to the Chief Justice, a bench comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi considered the case.