AAP’s Freebie Politics: Welfare Promises or Fiscal Burden?

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th Dec. In a bustling corner of Delhi, Chief Minister Atishi and Arvind Kejriwal launched the registration for the much-publicized Mahila Samman Yojana. With the state elections looming, the political battleground in the capital is heating up, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is back with its quintessential allure—populist welfare schemes, or what critics term the “freebie culture.”

The Mahila Samman Yojana offers ₹2,100 monthly allowances to 38 lakh women, while another promise—Sanjeevani Yojana—targets senior citizens. These initiatives would cost the Delhi government ₹11,000 crores annually, adding to the existing ₹10,000 crores spent on other welfare schemes. With nearly 30% of its ₹76,000 crore budget devoted to free schemes, questions arise: Are such expenditures sustainable? And more importantly, do they genuinely empower citizens, or are they merely electoral bait?

Are such expenditures sustainable? And more importantly, do they genuinely empower citizens, or are they merely electoral bait?

The Freebie Paradox
AAP has long been synonymous with populist schemes—electricity subsidies, free water, and education reforms. While these measures have improved access to essential services for many, their expansion without a concrete financial roadmap risks derailing long-term development.

This trend isn’t unique to Delhi. Across states, political parties have adopted freebies as a shortcut to secure votes. In Maharashtra, for instance, the Mukhyamantri Maji Ladki Bahna Yojana, which promises ₹1,500 monthly to women aged 21-60, adds a staggering ₹46,000 crore to an already deficit-ridden state budget. Himachal Pradesh, under the Congress government, pledged free electricity and allowances for women, but has managed to benefit only 2,400 women after two years. Meanwhile, its debt burden is expected to cross ₹94,000 crore this fiscal year.

The Cost of Freebies
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has repeatedly cautioned against this unsustainable trend. Freebies often lead to mounting public debt, compromising a state’s ability to invest in infrastructure, healthcare, and employment generation. The Supreme Court, too, has raised concerns, suggesting that governments prioritize job creation over handouts.

Freebies often lead to mounting public debt, compromising a state’s ability to invest in infrastructure, healthcare, and employment generation.

Freebies, when targeted and well-executed, can serve as a safety net for marginalized groups. However, their unchecked proliferation erodes fiscal discipline. For instance, the Centre’s free ration scheme for 81 crore citizens has drawn flak for fostering dependency rather than self-reliance.

Hidden Costs to Citizens
The irony is that the cost of these schemes often circles back to citizens. To fund “free” electricity in Delhi, the government quietly raised base tariffs. Similarly, GST levies on essentials like popcorn or packaged food have left consumers bearing the brunt.

To fund “free” electricity in Delhi, the government quietly raised base tariffs.

A Call for Accountability
It’s time for citizens to critically evaluate these promises. Freebies might seem like a boon in the short term, but they often undermine economic stability and long-term welfare. Political parties must shift focus from populist measures to structural reforms that drive sustainable growth.

Freebies might seem like a boon in the short term, but they often undermine economic stability and long-term welfare.

In a democracy, voters wield the ultimate power. By rejecting populist temptations and demanding accountability, they can steer the nation toward a more equitable and prosperous future. Let the discourse on welfare pivot from mere giveaways to impactful, well-planned governance that genuinely uplifts society.