RS Chair calls for Debate National

 RS Chair calls for Debate National Policy on Freebies

Extract from the article:

Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar recently urged the need for a comprehensive debate and formulation of a national policy governing freebies distributed by governments. His call stems from concerns about government investments being utilized in an ad hoc manner, which might hamper structured development aimed at the broader public welfare. The article highlights that such freebies and developmental works often stem from schemes like the MPLADS (Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme), which empowers lawmakers to propose projects such as roads, schools, and infrastructure within their constituencies.

Dhankhar’s emphasis lies in making government spending more transparent and strategic. He suggests that a national framework could ensure funds are allocated efficiently and equitably, while mitigating populist tendencies that may prioritize short-term gains over long-term benefits. The underlying tension exists between the political necessity to distribute freebies to win favor and the systemic need to invest in sustainable developmental assets that uplift entire communities beyond electoral cycles.

My Take:

A. Freezing of Freebies

Reflecting on my earlier writings about the freezing of freebies, it is clear that the concerns raised by the Rajya Sabha Chairman are not novel but were anticipated years ago. I had suggested then that when determining whether poll promises qualify as freebies, a Parliamentary Select Committee should apply rigorous criteria. These include making sure the promises are not tied to sectarian interests such as religion or caste, that they apply uniformly to citizens across all states, and crucially that the benefits are long-lasting and asset-creating rather than temporary handouts.

Reading about the call for a national policy on freebies now, I feel a renewed sense of affirmation that the frameworks I proposed are critical to ensuring political promises translate into durable impact. This alignment confirms that piecemeal or targeted freebies often undermine equitable growth and that politicians need structured guidelines to balance electoral promises with fiscal prudence and developmental foresight.

B. A Tale of Two Ministers

My retrospective on MPs’ use of MPLADS funds sheds light on a microcosm of the larger debate on freebies. The contrast between two ministers’ approaches—one channeling funds into a garden benefiting underserved communities, and another seemingly sanctioning frivolous expenditure on personal gains—underscores the pressing need for tighter policy control. The unfettered release of MPLADS funds without clear-cut accountability can lead to inefficiencies and corruption, which in turn hamper true development.

Jagdeep Dhankhar’s suggestion for a national policy resonates strongly here because it would impose stricter guidelines on how developmental funds are spent, ensuring such allocations serve the collective good rather than individual whims. This is pivotal in reclaiming public trust that government funds are being judiciously invested in projects with tangible and enduring benefits. My earlier observations about the risks of unchecked use of MPLADS funds dovetail perfectly with this current discourse, underscoring that policy reform is both timely and necessary.

Call to Action:

I urge the Parliamentary leadership and policymakers, including members of the Parliamentary Select Committee, to take cognizance of the Rajya Sabha Chairman’s clarion call and initiate an inclusive, transparent, and structured debate on the creation of a national policy on freebies. This policy should codify criteria that prioritize equitable resource allocation, long-term asset creation, and uniform applicability across states to ensure government funds are employed for sustainable development rather than short-term political gains.

Only through such constructive dialogue and consequent legislative action can we break the cycle of arbitrary freebies and work towards a governance model that balances political realities with the imperatives of national progress.

With regards, 

Hemen Parekh

www.My-Teacher.in