NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board for promising free electricity to consumers irrespective of their economic situation.The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Center and others on a plea by the DMK government proposing to provide free electricity. A court headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant of India condemned the culture of giveaways adopted by states and political parties for hindering economic development.The Supreme Court added that most states in the country are offering such freebies in defiance of development despite having a revenue deficit.
“With this kind of large-scale distribution, the economic development of the country will be hampered. Yes, it is the duty of the state to provide it. But the people who are enjoying the freebies…isn’t that something to be noted?” Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed orally.“We know states where even if you’re a big landlord, you have free electricity. You keep the lights on, you keep the machines on. If you want to have a facility, you pay for it. But this money that the state is saying it’s going to pay for now… who’s going to pay for it? It’s a tax,” he said.The court said it was aware that recent elections had seen welfare programs suddenly announced in some states just before the election.The court made it clear that this problem is not limited to a particular state but extends to all states in the country.“We are not just thinking about the Tamil Nadu context. We are thinking about the fact that why plans are being announced just before elections. All political parties, sociologists need to rethink their ideology. How long will this continue?” the CJI said.“We are not talking about one state, but about all states. It is planned expenditure. Why not prepare a budget and justify that this is my expenditure for people’s unemployment,” Justice Joymalya Bagki added.
