Freebies

Harsh Goenka shares 'unique way of giving freebies'; internet left in splits

The viral video shows the TRS leader handing out bottles of alcohol and chicken to local people, just a day before Dussehra

Election Commission asks political parties to disclose cost of 'revdi' and reveal how it will be funded

By proposing the reform, the Election Commission of India aims to inform voters about the financial feasibility of election promises in manifestos and also whether they are sustainable within the financial space of the state or the Union government

Obfuscation Overload: Beware the perils of abstraction when discussing freebies

Framing of mundane policy matters — are freebies a good policy given the states’ fiscal health — in some abstract democratic process often obfuscates more than it clarifies. The price of this obfuscation, and the resulting confusion, is borne by the poor

Poorly-directed freebies may have adverse consequences on economy: Experts

The Supreme Court recently said freebies at the cost of taxpayers' money may push the country towards imminent bankruptcy

Issue of political parties promising freebies 'serious', why can't Centre call for all-party meet, asks SC

The apex court said unless there is a unanimous decision among political parties that freebies are going to destroy the economy and needed to be stopped, nothing can happen

Freebies are never 'free'; subsidies that distort prices are harmful, says RBI MPC member Ashima Goyal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has in recent days hit out at the competitive populism of extending ‘rewaris’ or freebies which are not just wastage of taxpayers’ money, but also an economic disaster that could hamper India’s drive to become Atmanirbhar

Time to dump the ‘revari’ culture: Aspirational India needs organic growth, and not freebies

While some discretion should remain with political parties on determining handouts, let the expert panel suggested by the Supreme Court throw up viable suggestions and make this a part of electoral reforms

Can't stop political parties from making promises, issue of freebies is complicated: Supreme Court

The top court was hearing a plea filed by Tamil Nadu's ruling party DMK which challenged the definition of freebies saying that welfare schemes introduced by a state government cannot be dubbed as a freebie

Spending on health, education can't be considered freebies, says Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin

Stalin said that some people have now emerged with the advice that there should be no freebies. He also refrained from talking more on this issue, saying this will become politics

Explained: The history of freebie culture that the AAP and Centre are fighting over

The Centre has criticised the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP for luring the voters of Gujarat with free electricity. However, the freebie culture is not new to Indian politics. It can be traced back to Tamil Nadu: In 1967, DMK founder CN Annadura promised 4.5 kg of rice for Re 1 if he were to be elected