New Delhi, 19 February. Strongly criticizing the culture of giving free facilities to the people, the Supreme Court on Thursday said that the time has come to reconsider such policies which hinder the economic development of the country. ‘Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Limited’ has filed a petition proposing to provide free electricity to everyone irrespective of the financial status of the consumers.
While hearing this petition, the top court said that if the state helps the poor then it is completely understandable. A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi said that most of the states are in revenue deficit but they are providing such free facilities, ignoring the development.
The Court said that giving such free facilities hinders the economic development of the country and states should work to open employment opportunities instead of giving free food, bicycles and electricity to all. However, the court issued notice to the Center and others on the plea by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government-led power distribution company proposing to provide free power.
The electricity distribution company has challenged a rule of the Electricity Amendment Rules, 2024. “What kind of culture are we developing in India? It is understandable that as part of welfare measures you want to provide (free) facilities to those who are unable to pay electricity charges,” the bench said. The Chief Justice said, “But you start distribution without discriminating between those who can afford and those who cannot. Will this not be a policy of appeasement?”
The bench asked why the Tamil Nadu company suddenly decided to pick up the slack after the electricity tariff was notified. The Chief Justice said, “States should work to open avenues of employment. If you start giving free food from morning till evening, then free cycles, free electricity, then who will work and then what will happen to the work culture.” The bench said that instead of spending on development projects, the state does two things – paying salaries and distributing such free facilities.
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