Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Aug 23: The Supreme Court said on Tuesday that there needs to be discussion about the crucial subject of freebies promised by political parties.
The CJI argued that the issue should be taken up by the highest court and that an expert group should be established to discuss the problem of freebies offered during elections.
“Suppose Centre makes a law that states cannot give freebies, so can we say such a law is not open to judicial scrutiny. For the welfare of the country, we are hearing this issue,” Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said while hearing arguments in court.
The Finance Commission should look into the situation, according to senior attorney Kapil Sibal, whose advice the CJI had requested in the case.
“Once the issue is debated, how do you deal with that is my question. A body that is non political can deal with it. That’s the Finance Commission,” he said.
Vikas Singh, the petitioner’s attorney, stated that the complaint being made concerned freebies that were promised at the time of elections. Singh argued that the issue at hand was being sidestepped and delayed and urged the court to give instructions so that either a law be established by Parliament or that the Election Commission creates guidelines regarding giveaways.
Tushar Mehta, the Centre’s solicitor general, asserted that no one can deny that it is the duty of all political parties to support the weak and address social issues. But he argued that giving freebies has become an art form and could trigger a dire fiscal crisis.
All political parties, including the BJP, desire giveaways, the CJI observed. During the session, he also rapped at DMK lawyer P Wilson, adding, “We are monitoring what your ministers are saying.” On Wednesday, the court will resume hearing the case.
