Voters prefer to earn a dignified earning over freebies: Supreme Court

Source: The post is based on the article “Voters prefer to earn a dignified earning over freebies: Supreme Court” published in The Hindu on 18th August 2022.

What is the News?

The Supreme Court while hearing a petition to curb the practice of offering freebies has said that the term “freebie” should not be confused with genuine welfare measures.

What are the Supreme Court’s views on Freebies?

Freebies vs Welfare Measures

The term “freebie” should not be confused with genuine welfare measures. There is a distinctive difference between television sets, consumer electronics and welfarist offers.

For example, MGNREGA offered dignified earnings and also created public assets in rural areas.

Hence, voters, if given a chance, will prefer to earn dignified earnings through welfare schemes. Moreover, there are also instances of parties not being elected despite their promises.

Constitution on welfare measures

Article 38 of the Constitution mandates that States should ensure the welfare of the people, minimize inequalities in income and endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities, not only amongst individuals but also amongst groups of people residing in different areas or engaged in different vocations.

Hence, the court observed that a political party or an individual cannot be prevented from making promises that are aimed at fulfilling this constitutional mandate.