Discussion on Pre-election Freebies

The Supreme Court has criticized the distribution of pre-election freebies such as free rice, laptops, bus passes, and doles in fancy envelopes by governments.

Key Issues Raised

• Fiscal Indiscipline:
  If fiscal indiscipline is a concern, there are existing mechanisms such as auditors, finance commissions, CAG reports, and parliamentary committees designed to address government expenditure issues.
• Electoral Inducements:
  The Election Commission is responsible for overseeing and addressing inappropriate incentives between voters and politicians.

Role of Judiciary

The article questions whether courts should assume the role of moral guides, advising elected governments on electoral conduct and fiscal responsibility.

Impact on Democracy

In a democracy, the relationship between voters and politicians is crucial, and restrictions on this through judicial intervention could undermine the democratic process.

Long-term Costs of Freebies

While pre-election freebies are common, they can crowd out capital expenditure, leading to poor infrastructure such as crumbling roads, weak hospitals, and inadequate schools.

Proposed Solutions

• Distinguishing Welfare from Bribes:
  Efforts should be made to differentiate genuine social support schemes from electoral bribes.
• Statutory Framework:
  Implementing a statutory framework that requires fiscal impact assessments before announcing such schemes could be beneficial.
• Voter Accountability:
  Voters should hold governments accountable beyond election periods.