Because Of Freebies, People Aren't Willing To Work : Supreme Court Judge

During the hearing of a PIL seeking shelter for the urban homeless in Delhi, Supreme Court judge - Justice BR Gavai - deprecated today the distribution of freebies ahead of elections and remarked that it would be better if the homeless are sought to be integrated into mainstream society so that they can contribute to the nation.

"I am sorry to say, but the affidavit (respondent's) says this much facilities will be provided to them (homeless persons)...rather than permitting them to be a part of the mainstream society by contributing to the development of the nation, are we not creating a class of parasites?

Unfortunately, because of these freebies which, just on the anvil when elections are declared, Ladli Behen and some other schemes...the people are not willing to work. They are getting free rations, amounts without doing any work! I am telling you from personal experiences...because of these freebies, some states give free ration, so the people do not want to work."

When Advocate Prashant Bhushan (for petitioners) responded to the remarks saying that there is no one in the country who does not want to work "if" he has some work, the judge shot down the submission, saying "you must be having only one side knowledge". Recounting personal experience, the judge added, "I come from an agricultural family. Because of the freebies in Maharashtra which they just announced prior to elections, the agriculturists are not getting laborers. Everybody is getting free at home".

At one point, Bhushan raised the issue of dilapidated conditions of the existing shelters, in an attempt to explain why some homeless persons are not inclined to go to shelters. To that as well, Justice Gavai responded by saying, "between a shelter home which is uninhabitable and sleeping on a road, what is more preferable?"

While Justice Gavai opined that providing things for free habituates people to not doing any work, it was also acknowledged that right to shelter is now a fundamental right and the issue raised in the PIL has to be dealt with. But whether a better way to deal with the situation would be to make the homeless part of the mainstream society and "permit them to contribute to the development of the nation", is what the judge asked.

For a detailed report on the proceedings, click here.

It may be noted that the Supreme Court is considering another set of petitions seeking to curb the promises of 'freebies' made by political parties ahead of elections. In 2022, a two-judge bench framed certain issues and referred the matter to a larger bench. The reference is pending on the date.

Case Title: E.R. Kumar v. Union of India | Writ Petition (Civil) No. 55 of 2003

Related - 'You've Money For Ladli Behna, All Money On Freebies; Take Little Bit To Pay Compensation ': Supreme Court Pulls Up Maharashtra