“Sooner or later, there will always be a cost for ‘Free Stuff’” as was said by Will Leamon. Freebies in Indian politics are considered a catalyst for election strategies. Within this political calculus, parties maintain the belief that such promises possess the potential to sway the electoral tide in their favor, ultimately paving the path to triumphant electoral victories.
In a proliferation of election promises, ranging from free gadgets and bicycles to subsidized electricity, the ethical compass of electoral politics appears to be pushed to its limits. Many argue that this practice constitutes a form of electoral malpractice, potentially diverting voters from their earnest concerns for societal progress and pressing needs. As previously noted, there is invariably a cost associated with such initiatives, and this cost is inevitably shouldered by the taxpayers.
These financial burdens can disrupt economic stability and jeopardize the provision of even the most fundamental public services, as exemplified in recent developments within the political landscape of Sri Lanka.
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While freebies are often criticized as a political strategy, their continued effectiveness among politicians raises an intriguing question: Why do such tactics still resonate with voters?
An item that is given or offered without payment is referred to as a “freebie” in the dictionary. In a bulletin published in June 2022, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) defined “freebies” as “a public welfare measure that is provided free of charge.” Freebies can be distinguished from public or merit goods like healthcare and education, as well as other state expenditures that have broader and longer-term advantages, according to the RBI. However, it is quite challenging to discern between freebies or “non-merit” commodities and welfare or so-called “merit” goods. Analysts have underlined that merit goods, such as free or heavily discounted food, shelter, education, and healthcare, are essential for accelerating human development and therefore boosting national growth. Nevertheless, the widespread proliferation of inferior products like mixer grinders raises questions about their impact on the electorate’s decision-making process.
The answer, in part, lies in the human psyche’s predisposition to respond favorably to immediate rewards, often without a full grasp of the broader implications. This psychological inclination towards short-term gratification can be a powerful force shaping electoral outcomes. Certain political promises like free bus rides, free gas cylinders, and free electricity somewhat incite citizens to gain electoral benefits, but they soon feel cheated when the electoral promises turn out to be a fiscal pressure they face due to inflation.
The fiscal stress of a state in the name of welfarism tends to make the situation more difficult.
In India, the concept of welfarism is not new. There is an old Indian treatise on politics, economics, and military strategy called the Arthashastra. It is credited to Kautilya, a learned man who served as Chandragupta Maurya’s advisor in the fourth century BC and the founding father of the Mauryan Empire. Several sections in the Arthashastra discuss welfare, which Kautilya regarded as a crucial duty of the executive branch.
The concept of freebies is something electoral that has short-term benefits for a particular community but offers no long-term benefits or substantial return on investment (ROI). In short, freebies lead to moral hazards, making the population unproductive and creating a sense of distrust among taxpayers. The term “Welfare Junkies,” coined by Rousseau in the medieval period, still sounds relevant today.
In response to a petition brought by attorney Ashwini Upadhyay, the Supreme Court in January 2022 sent notice to the Government of India and the Election Commission of India.
The Election Commission of India responded by stating that it lacks the authority to control the situation or punish parties for making such election pledges. “Offering/distribution of any freebies either before or after an election is a policy decision of the party concerned, and whether such policies are financially viable or have adverse effects on the economic health of the state is a question that has to be considered and decided by the voters,” the ECI stated. The Indian Election Commission has no authority over state policies or decisions that the victorious party may make after winning an election.
However, much like the flip side of a coin, the practice of offering freebies during elections also presents a positive facet. It is important to recognize that, in the context of voter welfare, these initiatives can wield substantial influence in addressing pressing issues such as public health, sanitation, education, and sustainable development. They can potentially alleviate the challenges faced by citizens in accessing fundamental amenities.
The Constitution makes reference to welfare capitalism in its non-enforceable Directive Principles of State Policy section, which is part of the supreme law.
According to the Directive Principles, it is the responsibility of the Indian government to provide its citizens with adequate means of subsistence, equitable resource development and distribution, special protection for children, women, and weaker and more vulnerable groups, adequate healthcare, and other forms of assistance to ensure a life of fundamental dignity.
Welfare in India can be divided into two aspects that are quite visible to voters and every citizen of the country: whether a particular scheme is solely made for political gain or genuinely meant to benefit the marginalized community of the country. For instance, during the tenure of Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, the Tamil Nadu government launched a comprehensive mid-day meal program for schoolchildren.
This initiative resulted in a significant increase in the number of children attending school, and several Indian states embraced the idea. Following the success of the mid-day meal scheme in Tamil Nadu, the central government launched the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE). The key objective of the scheme was to boost student enrollment while improving the nutritional status of primary school children.
Other welfare programs offered by the Government of India include the Awas Yojana, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, the Kisan Samman Nidhi, and the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, all aimed at addressing concerns such as housing and shelter, children’s welfare, farmer incomes, and healthcare.
The MGNREGA scheme launched by the government of India has witnessed improvements in the rural employment sector, but the government has faced severe backlash due to allegations of corruption, misuse of funds, and delays in payment. Bureaucrats are frequently charged with corruption, leading to the misappropriation of funds and resources meant for welfare programs.
For instance, according to Transparency International research, corruption cost India nearly $100 billion in losses in 2018. This money could have been utilized to support crucial welfare programs like the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGA). The corruption and inefficiency of the bureaucracy have eroded public trust in the government among citizens and taxpayers.
However, the effective implementation of freebies must give the impression of a genuine gift to the electorate. This can only be achieved through a dual commitment to transparency in scheme execution and the underlying processes, along with accessible mechanisms for holding political parties accountable for their promises. To ensure the credibility of these assurances, a structured legal framework is imperative for oversight, supported by an impartial council entrusted with evaluating the intentions behind these schemes. It is vital that such initiatives do not inadvertently detract from overarching development objectives, protecting voters from decisions that could mislead their understanding of their own welfare.
While the allure of freebies may be strong, it’s essential to approach them with a discerning eye, as they can potentially serve as facile manipulation tactics. Ultimately, it rests in the hands of the voters to determine their preferences and choices. Alternatively, the consideration of policies with enduring benefits, as opposed to short-term populist measures, merits exploration. The intricate spectrum of opinions surrounding this subject is what intricately molds the economic, political, and social underpinnings of the Indian electoral system.
Political pledges made by political parties cannot be entirely prevented. Nevertheless, despite the possibility of some freebies, such promises must largely be reasonable and consistent with the welfare goals set forth in the Constitution. In order for voters to make an informed decision, even when a free meal is offered, political parties must be required to disclose the source of cash used to fulfill their promises of freebies. Political parties must inform potential consumers of freebies, supporters, detractors, and voters in general that these freebies are not reward products, presents, or subsidy programs like food grains provided through public distribution systems. If public funding will be used for giveaways, political parties must disclose if the money for freebies will come from the public coffers. If it does, it will only be money taken from one voter’s pocket and put into another, or worse, it will increase the state’s expenses for winning elections.
Most significantly, in a democracy like ours, the freebie culture is out of control and is shaking the foundation of free and fair elections. Before the freebie culture grows further and opens the door for even more hazardous economic and political unrest, it is urgently necessary to establish regulations governing it. Otherwise, the complimentary meal can end up being the most expensive!
Written by – Abhishek Sinha
Edited by – Yashvi Vasani