The Supreme Court today said, freebies culture is hampering the country’s economic development. A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said, most of the states in the country are revenue deficit and yet they are offering such freebies overlooking development. The Apex court was taking note of the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd’s plea, which proposed to provide free electricity to all irrespective of financial status of consumers. 

 

The bench said, states should work to open avenues for employment instead of giving free food, cycles and electricity to all. It said states, instead of spending on development projects, do two jobs – paying salaries and distributing such largesse. The Chief Justice said, if states 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 top court, issued notice to Centre and others on the plea of the DMK government-led power distribution firm in Tamil Nadu which proposes to provide free electricity. The power firm has challenged a rule of the Electricity Amendment Rules, 2024. The bench asked as to why the Tamil Nadu firm suddenly decided to loosen the purse strings after the electricity tariff was notified.

 

The bench said, it is understandable that as part of the welfare measure, states want to provide to those who are incapable of pay the electricity charges, but without drawing a distinction between those who can afford and those who cannot, they start distributing. It questioned that will it not amount to an appeasing policy.