'Are we not creating a class of parasites,' SC on freebies before polls

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday made strong observations against the practice of announcing freebies prior to elections, saying that people were not willing to work as they were getting free ration and money.

SC on Freebies Before Elections: Are They Making People Unwilling to Work?

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih said, "Rather than promoting them to be part of the mainstream society by contributing to the development of the nation, are we not creating a class of parasite".

The court was hearing a plea by E R Kumar, related to the right to shelter of homeless persons in urban areas.

Supreme Court Questions Political Freebies: Impact on Employment and Economy

The bench felt freebies announced by political parties was the main reason that the people are not willing to work, as they are getting free rations and money.

A counsel contended compassion is only for the rich and not for the poor.

The court, however, asked him not to use the court as a platform for making a political speech and if he is espousing the cause of someone, then he must restrict his arguments and not make unnecessary allegations.

“How do you say that compassion is only shown for the rich," the bench asked him.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for a party in the matter, said the lawyer was raising the issue with the removal of shelters for the beautification of the area.

The bench said that the counsel for the Delhi government informed the court that the shelters were in a dilapidated state and facilities would be provided to them.

"Unfortunately, because of these freebies, just on the anvil of elections. Some Ladki Bahin, some other schemes, the people are not willing to work. They are getting a free ration; they are getting an amount without doing any work. Why should they, would it not be better to make them part of mainstream society? Permit them to contribute to the development of the nation,” the bench said.

Bhushan said if they have some job, they will be part of the mainstream society, and the problem is that they do not have a shelter.

The bench told Bhushan that it is sharing practical experiences.

“Because of these freebies, some states give free ration, people do not want to work. I come from an agricultural family because of the freebies in Maharashtra they just announced prior to the election. The person involved in agriculture is not getting labourers. Everybody getting free (ration) at home," Justice Gavai observed.

The bench suggested that the situation should be balanced, the shelter is for those people who do not have wherewithal to get food at market prices and because of this reason the Food Security Act was brought.

Bhushan said those who seek shelter are usually employed in menial jobs and they do not have enough money to afford a shelter, where they can spend the night.

Attorney General R Venkataramani, representing the Centre, contended before the court that the central government was in the process of finalising the urban poverty alleviation mission, where the shelter issue will be an important part.

“Pilot projects are happening, probably Union will work out funding modalities, shaping policy in this context. Of course, compassion must guide all of us, there is no difficulty with that but mere compassion is not sufficient," he said. The AG emphasised that the issue of shelter is complex and cannot be dealt with in a linear fashion.

The court asked the AG to verify with the Centre as to within how much time the urban poverty alleviation mission would be made applicable. It fixed the matter for further hearing after six weeks.