Who will do the work if Supreme Court gives free surgical strike on rave culture? Strong warning to states

News India Live, Digital Desk: A bench headed by Chief Justice (CJI) Surya Kant, while hearing a petition related to Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation, came down hard on election handouts. The court said that the policy of indiscriminate free distribution is ruining the country’s ‘work culture’ and economy.1. Supreme Court’s 5 big comments Vikas vs Rewari: The Court said, “Most of the states are in revenue deficit, yet they are distributing free gifts. The state governments are doing only two things – paying salaries and distributing Rewari. Where are the funds for development works?” The difference between real public welfare and appeasement: The court made it clear that helping the poor and the helpless is ‘welfare’, but giving everything free to rich and poor without any discrimination is only ‘appeasement politics’. Burden on the economy: The bench warned that due to such policies, the debt burden on the states is becoming unbearable, which will lead to stagnation of infrastructure and employment generation in the long run. Fix accountability Ho: The court has issued a notice to the Central Government and the Election Commission asking what concrete steps have been taken so far to stop these ‘irrational free gifts’.2. Which states were hit? Although the remarks were general, the court specifically mentioned those states where schemes like electricity, water and cash transfer are being implemented without any economic basis. On the electricity subsidy scheme of Tamil Nadu, the court raised the question that when the tariff had been fixed, what was the point of suddenly making it free? What would happen next? The Supreme Court has considered this matter as part of a broader constitutional debate. There will be a detailed hearing on this in March 2026, in which the court can decide whether promising ‘freebies’ before the elections falls under the category of ‘corruption’ or ‘bribery’ under the Representation of the People Act (RP Act).