The Supreme Court issued notifications to the Centre and the Election Commission on Tuesday, requesting responses to a PIL seeking an order to confiscate the election symbol or de-register a political party that promises or distributes "irrational freebies" from public monies before elections. The moves have been criticised as "competitive freebies".
"It is a severe matter, and freebies budget goes beyond ordinary budget," a bench led by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices AS Bopanna and Hima Kohli observed. Despite the fact that it is not a corrupt practise, it does create an unequal playing field', the court averred.
The PIL, filed by BJP leader and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay, refers to the Aam Aadmi Party's promise of Rs 1,000 per month to every woman above the age of 18 before the Punjab elections. "Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) promised Rs 2000 to each woman to entice them," it says, citing an example. Following that, Congress offered every housewife not just Rs 2000 per month and eight gas cylinders per year, but also a scooty, Rs 20,000 after finishing 12th class, Rs 15,000 after passing 10th class, Rs 10,000 after passing 8th class, and Rs 5,000 after passing 5th class."
"For the UP Assembly elections, Congress promised a smartphone to every girl in Class 12, a scooty to every female seeking graduation, free public transportation for women, eight free gas cylinders per year to every housewife, and free medical treatment up to Rs 10 lakh per household," it concludes.
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