The Supreme Court of India on Thursday slammed the freebies culture, saying it was high time to revisit such policies that hamper the country's economic development. The apex court made oral comments deprecating the trend of various state governments announcing 'freebies' just ahead of the elections.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul Pancholi made the remarks while hearing a writ petition filed by the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Company Ltd, challenging Rule 23 of the Electricity Amendment Rules 2024.

Taking note of the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd's plea, which proposed to provide free electricity to all irrespective of the financial status of consumers, the top court said it was quite understandable if states hand-hold the poor.

The bench said economic development of the nation gets hampered with this kind of largesse distribution and states should work to open avenues for employment instead of giving free food, cycles, and electricity to all.

“Most of the states in the country are revenue-deficient states, and yet they are offering such freebies” overlooking development, a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said.

“What kind of culture are we developing in India? It is understandable that as part of the welfare measure you want to provide to those who are incapable of pay the electricity charges,” the bench asked.

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“But without drawing a distinction between those who can afford and those who cannot, you start distributing. Will it not amount to an appeasing policy,” the CJI asked.

The top court, however, issued notice to Centre and others on the plea of the DMK government-led power distribution firm which proposes to provide free electricity.

The power firm has challenged a rule of the Electricity Amendment Rules, 2024.

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