Answer

Introduction

The Constitution mandates welfare as capability-building like Article 38 ensures social justice, Article 39 seeks livelihood security, and Article 47 prioritises nutrition and health. Freebies, however, are electoral giveaways that bypass these goals, conditioning voters into dependency through short-term consumption without strengthening education, skills, or economic autonomy.

Body

Systemic Threats Posed By Competitive Populism

• Fiscal Overstretch: Political parties announce schemes beyond state budgets, pushing states into debt.
  Eg: In Bihar, election promises touched ₹8 lakh crore annually, 3× the state budget.
• Development Sacrificed for Election Cycles: Funds shift from productive sectors (jobs, irrigation, education) to cash freebies.
• Long-term Economic Instability: Heavy subsidies create debt that future taxpayers must repay.
  Eg: RBI warned that few states risk “fiscal collapse” due to reckless populism.
• Vote Buying through Public Money: Welfarism turns into a tool to influence voter choice using taxpayer funds.
• Legal Loopholes Encourage Misuse: The Supreme Court ruling (2013) observed freebies “shake roots of fair elections” but made no comment on manifesto promises.
  Eg: Offering tea to one voter is bribery, but promising ₹2,500/month to crores is legal.

Advantages Of Competitive Populism

• Pushes Parties to Focus on Welfare: Competition forces political attention on public welfare needs.
  Eg: Bihar’s cycle scheme boosted girls’ school enrolment by 30%+.
• Reduces Extreme Poverty and Inequality: Targeted welfare helps the poorest survive and participate in democracy.
  Eg: Provisions like ₹2 per kg rice eliminated starvation deaths.
• Improves Citizen Empowerment: Welfare builds capability and gives the poor more bargaining power in elections.
  Eg: MGNREGA ensures rural employment security across India.
• Stabilizes Economy in Crisis: Cash/welfare transfers sustain consumption during shocks.
• Forces Accountability & Performance Politics: Competition rewards delivery, not rhetoric.
  Eg: Welfare schemes linked to education/health improve human development outcomes.

Legal & Policy Measures For “Honest Welfare”

• Costed Manifestos Should Be Mandatory: Parties must reveal funding sources to prevent unrealistic promises.
• Treat Targeted Cash Promises as Bribery: Amend RPA Section 123 to classify direct cash promises as corrupt practice.
  Eg: The SC in S. Subramanyam Balaji vs Tamil Nadu (2013) observed freebies shake roots of fair elections.
• Ban New Cash Schemes Before Elections: Cooling-off period prevents last-minute cash transfers to sway voters.
• Create an Independent Freebie Regulation Body: Define what is welfare vs. freebie through objective criteria.
• Prioritise Capability-building Welfare: Focus on education, jobs, skills instead of consumption subsidies.
  Eg: Mid-day meals improve nutrition & school attendance.

Conclusion

Democracy thrives when welfare builds human capability and economic resilience, not when freebies buy gratitude. India must pursue rules-based, fiscally responsible welfare that empowers citizens to choose leaders freely, not depend on them. Welfare enables agency while freebies erode it sustainably across generations and prosperity.

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