Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Aug 11: The Supreme Court stated on Thursday that political parties’ promises and distribution of freebies during election season is a major concern because the economy is suffering due to this.
“Nobody says it is not a issue. It is a serious issue. Those who are getting they want it and ours is a welfare state. Some may say that they are paying taxes and it has to be used for developmental process. So its a serious issue. So both side has to be heard by committee,” said Chief Justice of India NV Ramana.
The court will next hear the plea on August 17.
SC observes promising&distributing freebies by political parties in polls is "serious issue"&amount has to be spent on infrastructure
AAP tells SC there's difference b/w welfare schemes& freebies
SC says economy losing money&people's welfare has to be balanced
Hearing on Aug17 pic.twitter.com/cCAyzGLtLc
— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2022
Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, a leader in the BJP, filed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition asking the court to issue directives to the Central government and the Election Commission to take action to regulate the election manifestos of political parties and to hold parties accountable for pledges made in such manifestos.
Meanwhile, the apex court also allowed the Aam Aadmi Party to intervene in a petition which opposes the practice of political parties promising freebies during elections.
Earlier, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has submitted an application in Supreme Court challenging a PIL against political parties that make promises to distribute ‘freebies’ during election campaigns.
Free water, power, and transportation promised as part of an election are not ‘freebies,’ according to AAP’s appeal, but rather necessities in an uneven society.
