Supreme Court criticizes freebies before elections, says it discourages work ethic

The Supreme Court on Wednesday voiced strong disapproval over the practice of political parties announcing freebies before elections, stating that such handouts discourage people from working.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih made these remarks while hearing a case concerning the right to shelter for homeless individuals in urban areas. Justice Gavai observed that free ration and financial incentives without work were leading to a decline in workforce participation.

"We appreciate your concern for the homeless, but wouldn’t it be better to integrate them into the mainstream and enable them to contribute to the nation's development?" the bench questioned.

Attorney General R Venkataramani informed the court that the Centre is finalizing an urban poverty alleviation mission, which will focus on multiple aspects, including shelter provisions for the homeless.

The bench directed the Attorney General to update the court on the timeline for implementing the mission and scheduled the matter for further hearing in six weeks.

The debate over freebies and economic empowerment continues to spark discussions about their long-term impact on workforce motivation and national progress.