shot-button
Maharashtra Elections 2024 Maharashtra Elections 2024
Home > News > India News > Article > Welfare schemes help in uplift of weaker sections cant be termed freebies DMK to SC

Welfare schemes help in uplift of weaker sections, can't be termed 'freebies': DMK to SC

Updated on: 20 August,2022 09:02 PM IST  |  New Delhi
PTI |

Opposing the plea filed by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay seeking action against political parties for promising freebies during elections, the DMK said the petition is "politically motivated" as the petitioner belongs to a political party which was locked in a political battle during Punjab elections at the time of filing this PIL

Welfare schemes help in uplift of weaker sections, can't be termed 'freebies': DMK to SC

MK Stalin and Supreme Court. File Pic

Welfare schemes provide uplift of weaker sections and cannot be described as "freebies", the DMK has told the Supreme Court.


Opposing the plea filed by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay seeking action against political parties for promising freebies during elections, the DMK said the petition is "politically motivated" as the petitioner belongs to a political party which was locked in a political battle during Punjab elections at the time of filing this PIL.


It alleged the present petition lacks merit and is filed to settle political scores with another rival political party in Punjab.


"The yardstick to be applied for classifying a welfare scheme to be a 'freebie' cannot be so rigid that every service provided by the government to its citizens be termed as a freebie.

Also Read: Free education, healthcare not freebies, can eliminate poverty: Arvind Kejriwal

"If such a meaning is applied, it would render all government facilities such as education, healthcare to be freebies, which is unconscionable," submissions filed by senior advocate P Wilson on behalf of DMK, said.

The DMK said the plea, which is liable to be dismissed, is an assault on the Directive Principles of State Policy and is an attempt to change the fabric of this nation from socialist country to capitalist country.

It said that no legal order can be issued against the representatives of the people making promises or against a law-making body from making laws to comply with the Part IV of the Constitution.

Also Read: Let’s talk about freebies to big corporates: Congress

On Wednesday, the CJI observed that political parties and individuals cannot be prevented from making poll promises aimed at fulfilling the constitutional mandate and the term "freebie" should not be confused with genuine welfare measures.

It had on January 25 sought replies from the Centre and the Election Commission on the PIL, filed through advocate Ashwani Kumar Dubey, seeking direction to seize the symbol or deregister a political party that promises or distributes "irrational freebies" before polls, saying it is a "serious issue" as sometimes freebie budget goes beyond a regular budget.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!

Register for FREE
to continue reading !

This is not a paywall.
However, your registration helps us understand your preferences better and enables us to provide insightful and credible journalism for all our readers.

Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK