Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, on Wednesday remarked that the trend of states spending heavily on freebies warrants careful examination, amid concerns that such measures could strain public finances and burden future generations.

The observation came during the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Ashwini Upadhyay. The petitioner has urged the Election Commission to bar political parties from promising certain social welfare benefits, which he described as “freebies”, during election campaigns.

“State splurging on freebies rather than on welfare schemes is an important matter to examine,” the Chief Justice noted, highlighting the potential fiscal implications of poorly targeted subsidy programmes.

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The PIL argues that such promises can distort electoral choices, encourage populism, and divert resources away from more sustainable social welfare initiatives. Upadhyay has requested judicial intervention to ensure that election manifestos promote responsible fiscal policies rather than short-term vote-winning measures.

The Supreme Court’s attention to the matter reflects growing concern over the balance between social welfare spending and fiscal prudence. Legal experts say the case could shape future guidelines on election promises and governance accountability.

The court is expected to continue deliberations on whether regulating the announcement of freebies during campaigns falls within the Election Commission’s mandate, potentially setting a precedent for stricter oversight of political promises.

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