THE PERILS OF FREEBIE CULTURE IN INDIA

 

 

Have you ever heard of toilet tax?  Don’t get astonished to listen to this but it’s a truth.  Recently, the government in Himachal Pradesh created a massive controversy over the so-called toilet tax.  As per this citizens of the state have to pay a fixed sum of money according to the number of toilets in the house.  Sounds awkward, particularly in a socialist and democratic country like India where millions of people don’t have access to a toilet in the house and rely on open defecation.  The government's priority since independence is to discourage open defecation and various schemes like Swachh Bharat actively promote setting up toilets in a home, why does Himachal Pradesh think otherwise? 

 

The proposal seemed awkward and raised many eyebrows, particularly in a country like India, where millions still lack access to basic sanitation facilities and rely on open defecation. The government's longstanding commitment has been to discourage open defecation through various initiatives, including Swachh Bharat, which promotes home toilet construction.  But then, why did the state of Himachal Pradesh think otherwise?

 

The result of rampant freebie culture in India

 

In India, political parties have a long history of enticing voters with gifts and freebies. All political parties attempt to secure electoral support through various offers, including free electricity, water, and transportation.

 

In addition to these freebies, political parties often distribute gifts and valuables directly to voters. The Election Commission has confirmed reports of cash-for-vote schemes, household articles, and even liquor being used as incentives.

 

However, this practice can lead to tragic consequences as well.  One such incident was the tragic incident that happened in Madhya Pradesh in the year 2001 that killed several people. In the name of welfare schemes, authorities organized the free distribution of sarees as the election was nearing. Thousands gathered, resulting in a stampede that killed 22, primarily women and children.

 

Sadly,  this incident has not served as an eye-opener, as the trend continues even today on a large scale. One such example is the free color television, laptop, and famous one kg rice for one rupee in the state of Tamil Nadu.  The resultant impact; the price of rice in the open market shoots up almost 100% not only in Tamil Nadu but also in surrounding states.

 

The perils of freebie culture in India

 

Let's come back to Himachal Pradesh.  What leads to a populist government even thinking of considering toilet tax?  It’s the result of the restoration of the old pension scheme.  Under OPS, employees enjoy lifetime pension post-retirement.  Considering its huge economic impact, almost all the states rolled out the old pension scheme and introduced a participatory pension scheme.  To secure public support, congress promised to reinstate the old pension scheme again if voted to power.

 

The result

 

Recalling OPS virtually made the government bankrupt.  There started delays in paying salaries and pensions.  The government had to take loans just to cover the interest on existing loans.

 

What about money needed for roads, urban infrastructure, irrigation, government schools, primary health care centers, and hospitals? Forget it.

 

Considering its size, Himachal Pradesh was a small state geographically and economically.  Even Karnataka much larger state is also hurling toward economic disaster was disasterous because of freebies.  In the state assembly elections of 2023, the ruling BJP was reeling under incumbency and the Congress party was the favorite,  still, it rolled out five-point freebies to lure the voters.  Because of this, they won the elections and started implementing the freebies.

 

Freebies that derailed Bangalore and Karnataka

 

Most Popular is the direct cash transfers to women and unemployed youths and free bus rides for women. The total estimated annual cost of the five “welfare” schemes is projected to be Rs 60,000 every year. In 2024-25 52,000 crores were already spent on freebie bills.

 

The state of Karnataka and its capital Bangalore were once booming with the IT revolution.  Freebie culture came as a hurdle for development with no money to spend for education, healthcare, irrigation, infrastructure, and development projects. But that’s not the end, the government has started raising prices of almost everything it can. State taxes on both diesel and petrol have been increased substantially.  Prices of milk have been raised.  Bus fares for non freebies beneficiaries have been jacked up significantly. 

Punjab; is an example of how freebie culture impacts the mindset of the public. 

The Detrimental Effects of Freebie Culture in Punjab

 

Punjab serves as a glaring example of how a culture of freebies can have long-term detrimental effects on a state's economy and environment. In this state, farmers are allowed to consume electricity free of charge, which has led to alarming consequences on two fronts.

 

  First, the water table in the state became alarmingly low as farmers started to focus on guzzling crops and they started pumping water from reservoirs at an alarming rate.  The main reason for this is the free electricity.  Experts fear if this continues for one more decade, Punjab could become a desert state very soon.  The second impact is, that the state electricity board became bankrupt resulting price hike.  It affected the industrial and service sectors and they find it difficult to adjust with alarming electricity tariffs and power shortage.

 

Distinguishing Freebies from Welfare Measures

 

While discussing the perils of freebie culture, it is essential to differentiate between what constitutes a freebie and what qualifies as a welfare measure. India is a land of immense diversity, and the disparities within society are so pronounced that it is unrealistic for the state to leave social justice decided by the market.

 

There should be ongoing welfare measures to ensure that every section of society benefits from India's progress. However, it is crucial to maintain a clear distinction between what is considered a freebie and what constitutes a legitimate welfare measure.

Welfare measures aim to uplift marginalized communities by providing essential services such as healthcare, education, and social security. 

 

In contrast to freebies that often serve as short-term incentives, Welfare measures aim to uplift marginalized communities by providing essential services such as healthcare, education, and social security.

 

While we describe the perils of freebies, we should be able to distinguish between what is a freebie and what are welfare measures.  India is a land of diversity, and the disparity is so alarming that it is not ideal for the state to leave the market all the decisions.  There should be some welfare measures rolling around the clock so that every section of society is benefitting from the progress India is going through.  But we should have a clear distinction between what is a freebie and what are welfare measures.

 

Difference Between Freebies and Welfare Measures

 

Freebies are generally aimed at providing short-term benefits to targeted populations, whereas welfare schemes are well-thought-out plans designed to improve living standards over the long term.

Welfare schemes typically aim to fulfill constitutional obligations outlined in the Directive Principles of State Policy.

 

They are often viewed as mechanisms for promoting social justice, equity, and human development.

Examples of welfare schemes include the Public Distribution System (PDS), the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.

 

Conclusion

 

In conclusion, it is crucial to navigate the delicate balance between providing welfare measures and avoiding the pitfalls of a freebie culture. While welfare schemes are designed to uplift marginalized communities and improve living standards, freebies often create dependency and distort economic priorities. 

 

The challenge lies in ensuring that public resources are allocated effectively to support long-term development rather than short-term electoral gains.

 

Governments should focus on implementing well-planned welfare initiatives that fulfill their constitutional obligations and promote social justice, equity, and human development. By distinguishing between genuine welfare measures and mere freebies, policymakers can foster a more responsible approach to governance that prioritizes sustainable growth and the overall well-being of society.