The Price of Freebies: The Negative Impact of Populist Promises in India

Freebies have become an integral part of the Indian political landscape. Parties have been wooing voters with freebies for decades. From cycles, laptops, and televisions to free power, water, and Wi-Fi. These freebies have come at a great cost to the exchequer and have often been criticized for being populist measures that do not address the root causes of the problems they aim to solve.

Freebies are nothing new in India. In fact, they have been around for a long time. In the past, freebies were mostly given by the government in the form of subsidies, free education, healthcare, and other essential services. However, in recent times, freebies have become synonymous with election promises made by political parties. Parties promise the moon to voters in exchange for their votes.

The idea of freebies is not inherently bad. In fact, in some cases, they can be beneficial to the people. For instance, free healthcare, education, and essential services can go a long way in improving the standard of living of the people. However, the problem arises when freebies are used as a political tool to win elections. Parties promise freebies that are not sustainable in the long run, which puts a strain on the exchequer and ultimately harms the people they are meant to benefit.

The most common freebies promised by political parties are in the form of material goods such as cycles, laptops, televisions, and smartphones. While these freebies may seem like a great incentive to vote for a particular party, they are often unsustainable in the long run. The cost of these freebies is borne by the taxpayers, and ultimately, it is the people who suffer.

In recent years, parties have also started promising free power, water, and Wi-Fi to voters. While these freebies may seem like a great idea, they are often not feasible in the long run. Providing free power and water can put a strain on the exchequer, and ultimately, the quality of these essential services suffers. Moreover, providing free Wi-Fi in a country where internet penetration is still low is not a sustainable solution to the problem.

Another problem with freebies is that they do not address the root causes of the problems they aim to solve. For instance, providing free cycles to girls to encourage them to attend school may seem like a great idea, but it does not address the underlying issues that prevent girls from attending school, such as lack of infrastructure, safety concerns, and societal norms.

Moreover, freebies often create a sense of entitlement among the people, which can be detrimental to the overall development of the country. People start expecting freebies from the government and do not take responsibility for their own lives. This can lead to a culture of dependency and entitlement, which is not conducive to the growth and development of the country.

While freebies may seem like a quick fix to win elections, they often have negative consequences for the economy. Freebies are costly and drain public resources, leading to budget deficits and increased government debt. This can lead to inflation, high-interest rates, and reduced investments, all of which negatively impact the overall economic growth of the country. Moreover, freebies can lead to corruption, as officials may siphon off funds meant for the provision of freebies.

It is important to note that freebies do not only come in the form of promises made during elections. Many businesses also offer freebies to attract customers. While this may seem like a harmless marketing strategy, it can have negative consequences for the economy. Freebies often lead to increased consumption, which can strain the environment and exacerbate the problem of waste generation. Moreover, businesses may offer freebies to mask the poor quality of their products or services.

In recent times, there have been debates about the efficacy of freebies in reducing poverty and inequality. While freebies may provide temporary relief to the poor, they do not address the root causes of poverty and inequality. Sustainable development policies that provide access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities are more effective in reducing poverty and inequality in the long run. Furthermore, freebies can create disparities and divisions within society. Not everyone may be eligible to receive freebies, and those who do not receive them may feel left out or discriminated against. This can lead to resentment and social unrest.

It is important for governments to focus on sustainable policies that address the root causes of the problems the country is facing. For instance, investing in education and healthcare can improve the overall standard of living of the people and reduce poverty and inequality. Providing infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water can also create employment opportunities and improve the overall economic growth of the country. It is time for governments and businesses to move away from the culture of freebies. Only then can we achieve long-term development and growth that benefits everyone in society.