The debate over welfare programs and giveaways has resurfaced as a result of political parties' populist election promises

Freebies and Political Promises: In the most recent Delhi elections, political parties fought to offer "freebies" rather than focusing on development plans.

Before this, the 2024 platform of a well-known political party placed a strong emphasis on welfare initiatives like: Prime Minister Garib Kalyan Under the Anna Yojana, 80 crore people have been given free rations since 2020.

• Through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), citizens receive ₹34 lakh crore.
• PM Mudra Yojana: 46 crore in loans totaling ₹27 lakh crore.
• The PM SVANidhi Scheme makes it simple for 63 lakh street vendors to get credit.
• Whether these are welfare programs or just electoral inducements is the question.

The Cost of Freebies: Many governments struggle to pay for social programs and essential public services like healthcare and education, such as Gujarat and Maharashtra, which have acknowledged financial difficulties for the Ladki Bahin plan.

Even though the government claims that 17 crore jobs have been created in the past ten years and that 25 crore people have been lifted out of poverty, freebies continue. Critics argue that these policies could hinder economic productivity and increase dependency.

Economic Democracy and Social Order: In 1948, Damodar Swarup Seth argued that true well-being required a socialist democratic order, challenging the capitalist system. He was referring to Article 38, which states that "the State must secure a social order for the advancement of the welfare of the people."

An Examination of India's Welfare State Reality:

A welfare state protects and promotes the economic and social well-being of its citizens by implementing the principles of equal opportunity, equitable income distribution, and public responsibility for those citizens who cannot afford the necessities of a decent life.

• India faces challenges such as unemployment and poverty.
• Widening wealth gaps and healthcare failure

The Supreme Court's defense of giveaways in S.Subramaniam Balaji v. State of Tamil Nadu sparked a debate about fiscal responsibility. As E. M. Forster famously said, "Two cheers for democracy." It permits diversity in the first place and critique in the second.

In his 1845 book Sybil (or the Two Nations - the rich and the destitute), Benjamin Disraeli asserts that "power has just one duty – to secure the social welfare of the people." India must determine whether excessive charity is consistent with genuine welfare and long-term economic growth.