How can the Election Commission prevent political parties from making poll promises ? : Supreme Court

New Delhi – Political parties and individuals cannot be prevented from making poll promises aimed at fulfilling the constitutional mandate and the term ‘freebie’ should not be confused with genuine welfare measures, the Supreme Court said on 14^th August.

‘रेवड़ी कल्चर’ दायर याचिकाओं पर सुनवाई करते हुए सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने मंगलवार को कहा कि मुफ्त योजनाएं एक अहम मुद्दा हैं और इस पर बहस की जरूरत है.#SupremeCourt #Freebies @SinghArvind03 https://t.co/6KCVUcfnlP

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Observing that the voters are not looking for freebies, the Apex Court referred to the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and said, “Given an opportunity, they will look for dignified earning”.

“We all must remember the good old saying : There is no free lunch”, the Apex Court said, adding the concern is about the right way of spending public money.

There has to be a distinction between the offer of ornaments, television sets, consumer electronics free-of-cost and real welfarist offers. The promise of free coaching for professional courses cannot be compared with the promise of free white goods, a Bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana said.

“Concern is about the right way of spending public money. Now we have come across some new arguments. Some say taxpayers’ hard-earned money is wasted on freebies. And others say, that it is essential to spend public money on welfare measures. Is this Court competent to examine these questions ? The issue is getting increasingly complicated”, he added.