On political parties pledging “freebies” ahead of elections, the Supreme Court stated on Wednesday that instead of bringing people into the mainstream for national progress, “are we not creating a class of parasites”?
A panel of Justices B R Gavai and Augustine George Masih said it would be better to integrate people into society and contribute to national progress.
“Rather than promoting them to be a part of the mainstream of the society by contributing to the development of the nation, are we not creating a class of parasites?” he said.
Justice Gavai then continued: “Unfortunately, because of these freebies, which just on the anvil of elections are declared, like ‘Ladki Bahin’ and other schemes, people are not willing to work.”
The Supreme Court was considering a case about the freedom of homeless individuals to shelter in metropolitan areas, and it stated that people received free rations and money without having to work.
“We quite appreciate your concern for them but would it not be better to make them a part of the mainstream of society and permit them to contribute to the development of the nation?” the panel replied.
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Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing one of the petitioners, stated that there was barely anyone in the country who did not want to work if they had a job.
The judge stated, “You must have only one-sided knowledge. I am from an agricultural family. Farmers are not receiving laborers in Maharashtra because of the giveaways that were only announced prior to the elections.”
The court, however, stated that it did not wish to discuss.
It stated that everyone, including Attorney General R Venkataramani, agreed that providing refuge for the destitute was a priority.
According to Venkataramani, the Center is currently finalizing the urban poverty alleviation mission, which will deal with a number of challenges, including giving urban homeless people a place to live.
The bench requested that he confirm with the Center the duration of the scheme’s applicability and document the elements it covers.
“In the meantime, the attorney general is also requested to take instructions as to whether till the implementation of the said scheme, the Union of India would continue with the National Urban Livelihoods Mission,” added the statement.
