‘Freebies’ different from public welfare investment, says SC, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court distinguished between irrational freebies and public welfare investments.
• The court emphasized the state's obligation to invest in welfare schemes under the Directive Principles of State Policy.
• Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay requested an early hearing on the plea against irrational freebies offered by political parties.
• The nation's debt has increased from ₹1.5 lakh crore to ₹2.5 lakh crore since the petition was initially filed.

Detailed Insights:

• The court clarified that distributing state largesse is different from investing in public welfare schemes like medical care and education for the poor.
• The Supreme Court questioned the absence of dedicated revenue surplus allocation for developmental purposes, particularly for free medical care and education.
• The plea seeks to declare promises of irrational freebies by political parties during elections as a corrupt practice.
• Directive Principles of State Policy are guidelines for the state to create a just society, though not enforceable by the courts.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Freebies: Goods or services distributed freely, often by political parties, with the intent to influence voters.
• Public Welfare Investment: State expenditure on schemes that promote the well-being of citizens, especially marginalized sections.
• Directive Principles of State Policy: Guidelines in the Constitution for the state to follow in order to establish a just and equitable society.