The Supreme Court on Wednesday favoured an all-party meeting on the “serious” issue relating to the practice of political parties promising freebies.
The court said that until there is unanimity among political parties that freebies would destroy the country’s economy and have to be stopped, nothing can happen.
“Why doesn’t the Government of India call for an all-party meeting?” the top court asked.
“There must be a debate. The issue is serious; there is no doubt about it. The question is, why do not all political parties meet and the Government of India can call for a meeting,” it observed.
The observations by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India NV Ramana and Justices Hima Kohli and CT Ravikumar came on a plea against the promises of such handouts by the parties during election campaigns.
Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for petitioner Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, suggested that a retired judge of the apex court like former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha should be the chairman of the committee proposed to be constituted on this
aspect.
However, Justice Ramana observed, “a person who retires or who is going to retire has no value in this country. That is the problem.”
Advocate Prashant Bhushan said that he has filed an intervention on behalf of NGO “Centre for Public Interest Litigation”.
Bhushan argued that they have said three kinds of freebies must be prohibited— those which are discriminatory or which violate fundamental rights; those which are against public policy; and those which are rolled out immediately before the election, like in the last six months before the polls, by the ruling party.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said there are political parties, which may not be in power in the State or at the Centre, and are rolling out such promises.
“The focal point is would the voter have an atmosphere where he can take an informed decision. It is not a question of ruling or losing a party. Can you promise the moon to get elected?” Mehta said.
As the bench asked why the Government of India cannot call for an all-party meeting on the issue, Mehta said the political parties are already there before the apex court claiming that this is their
right.
“There are some political parties who think it is their fundamental right to offer freebies and have come to power by only offering freebies,” the SG argued. The bench observed that the biggest problem is who will head the committee.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, whose assistance has been sought by the bench, had mooted the idea of setting up a panel of the statutory finance commission.
He had said as per the Fiscal Management Responsibility Act, if some freebies are given, then the benefit cannot go beyond 3 per cent.