NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday made strong oral observations against the growing trend of political parties and state governments announcing "freebies" ahead of elections.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi made the remarks while hearing a writ petition filed by Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Company Ltd challenging Rule 23 of the Electricity (Amendment) Rules, 2024, relating to tariff subsidies and recovery of power costs.
Cautioning that indiscriminate welfare distribution could adversely impact the country’s long-term economic development, the CJI-led Bench questioned the practice of states absorbing electricity bills and extending blanket subsidies without distinguishing between those who can afford to pay and those who are genuinely marginalised.