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Home / IAS Preparation / Freebies Model Of Governance

Freebie Model of Governance - Learn About Freebie Politics in India, & More Facts for the UPSC Exam!

Last Updated on Apr 11, 2023
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In the last decade, the growing role of the freebies model of governance in Indian politics has become an intriguing question in the Indian political economy. Nowadays, freebies are being used to attract voters. Earlier in 2019, the Election Commission revealed an analytical emphasis on the distribution of freebies and attractions to voters by almost all political parties.

This topic of the “Freebie Model of Governance” is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination which falls under General Studies Paper 2 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Preliminary) and particularly in the Governance section of the UPSC Exam. In this article, we shall discuss the ‘Freebie Model of Governance’ and learn about Freebie Politics in India, What is the Rationale behind the Freebie Model, and More!

Download the PDF on Freebie Model of Governance notes for UPSC Exam here.

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Latest News around the Freebie system

  • The Election Commission wrote to political parties in October 2022, ahead of the Assembly elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, asking for their thoughts on the rationale behind poll-eve freebies.
  • It also suggested providing voters with “authentic information” to help them assess the financial viability of such promises.
  • The EC’s action follows a recent debate over political parties’ “irrational” election promises.
  • This has sparked criticism from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently described “revadi culture” for votes as “very dangerous” for the country’s development.

What is the freebie model of governance?

Political parties announce freebies in the form of government schemes or manifestos to influence voters in elections, which cover a wide range of goods and services such as bicycles, laptops, smartphones, TV sets, waivers on water and electricity bills, transportation, etc.

The freebies are classified as follows:

  • The freebie promises made by a political party in its manifesto before the elections.
  • The government moved forward with schemes that included freebies.

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Who distributes Freebies in India?
  • A government freebie is any good or service distributed by the government or political parties to citizens at no cost.
  • On the surface, most political parties are opposed to the culture of “freebies,” but few refrain from participating in it during elections. Political parties provide freebies, but they are not provided for free.

Thus, freebies are items and services promised by political parties in their election manifestos or schemes to provide to the people at no cost.

How Widespread is India’s Freebie Model of Governance?

The freebie practices are becoming a more common political tactic used by state governments during state assembly elections.

  • Tamil Nadu is well-known for pioneering and leading the way in freebie culture.
  • The DMK was the first party in the country to announce a few measures like rice at Re 1 in its state assembly manifesto in 1967.
  • Northern states have also adopted the practice. In 2019, the Delhi government announced free electricity and water, as well as a free bus pass for women. The announcements were made about 6 months before the elections.
  • Recently, the Himachal government announced free electricity for consumers of up to 125 units, and free water supply to villages, and women will now pay only half the fare for bus tickets. These announcements came about 6 months before the elections.
  • Similarly, In Punjab’s first budget, the AAP government announced 300 units of free electricity for every household, and former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh also initiated free travel for women in government buses.
  • Other states, including Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, etc., have also observed a strong culture of freebies.

What is the Rationale behind the Freebie Model of governance?

The following are the rationales for the freebie model of governance:

  • Political parties are resorting to the freebie culture in order to secure victory in the upcoming elections.
  • Politics of plenty: Even in states like Tamil Nadu, where the overall government is comparatively better, parties resort to freebies because they have run out of other ideas to attract votes.
  • They are unsure what else will be provided in addition to the development work already completed in terms of water, electricity, roads, and subsidies.
  • If the government wishes to provide free services to those in need, there is a distinction to be made between a subsidy and a freebie.
  • Even though many commitments have been fulfilled in the social welfare sector, some politicians and political parties believe they are insufficient.
  • If the government provides a subsidy or freebie to one segment of society, it must ensure that the money must come from somewhere else.
  • However, nowadays, all political parties engage in some form of freebie.

How Justified or Sustainable is the Freebie Model of Governance?

The freebie governance model is justified or sustainable in the following ways:

  • The governance model of freebies is neither sustainable nor economically viable.
  • Opponents of freebies argue that it places a significant financial burden on both the state and the center.
  • The concept of freebies was introduced to India in the last ten years as a result of the ruling political party’s lack of confidence in its governance.
  • It’s an unhealthy practice that wastes taxpayer money and is despised by many voters. Nonetheless, parties continue to engage in the practice.
  • If the government chooses freebies just before an election, it indicates that the ruling party is unsure whether they have identified and met the needs of the people.
  • The distribution of freebies of any kind undoubtedly influences the voter and affects the level-playing field, violating the “free and fair” election processes. 
  • Further, election procedures, the political system, and parliamentary democracy, in addition to voters’ electoral judgment, are all undervalued in practices such as the “freebie model of governance.”
  • This freebie model of governance practices may also instill in voters a culture of short-sightedness, preferring to live in the present at the expense of an uncertain future.

What are some other Challenges Posed by the freebie Model of Governance?

Other issues raised by the freebie model of governance include

Undermining the powers of the Election Commission

  •  It undermines the powers of the Election Commission by exploiting the following numerous loopholes:
  • Freebies with no specifics and promised manifestos.
  • It interferes with the Election Commission’s free and fair election process.
  • Election manifestos are released before the Election Commission declares elections.

There is no legal basis for the freebie governance model

  • The promises made by political parties are not legally binding.
  • They are not construed under Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and there is no procedure in place to have these freebie promises fulfilled.

It Reduces the accountability of Governments:

  • It reduces the government’s accountability to act in a good governance manner.

The ruling government has the upper hand:

  • The ruling Government will always have an advantage in the freebie model of governance because it has ample resources and machinery to fulfill its promises.

Does the Freebie Model of Governance Always Works in India?

In economics, there is no such thing as a freebie because someone has to pay for the ostensibly free giveaways.

  • The concept is popularly known as There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch, the title of a book by Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman, who demonstrated that everything must be paid for with taxes, if not today or tomorrow, then the day after.
  • Sometimes both major parties will offer freebies or poll promises, but only one of them will win in a democracy.
  • States have become economically depleted and accustomed to handing out freebies, such as loan forgiveness or free electricity, bicycles, laptop computers, television sets, transportation services, etc.
  • People who are confident in the government’s ability to meet their needs will not require freebies.
  • Even the people of India have proven freebie-giving political parties wrong on numerous occasions.
  • Subsidies in a specific sector for only a subset of voters may not ensure election victory. For example, women value security and safety over free ride passes.
  • Offering freebies has become a competitive bidding process undertaken by all political parties; however, a major issue is that the subsidies or any freebies announced are not incorporated into the budget proposals.

Judicial Intervention against the Freebie Culture in India

The following are some significant judicial interventions in India against the freebie culture:

  • In 2013, The distribution of freebies had previously been challenged in Subramaniam Balaji vs the State of Tamil Nadu before the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court.
  • As the Supreme Court previously argued, the distribution of freebies of any kind undoubtedly influences the people, affects the level playing field, and obstructs the democracy’s “free and fair elections.”
  • The Supreme Court also stated that the unhealthy practice is tarnishing Indian democracy.
  • Additionally, the Supreme Court also ordered the Election Commission to develop guidelines in consultation with all recognized political parties.
  • The new model code of conduct includes explicit guidelines to prevent political parties from making such promises in their manifestos.
  • It states that the distribution of freebies of any kind undoubtedly influences the people and shakes the foundation of free and fair elections to a large extent.
  • Bribery is defined in Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, as “gifts, offers, or promises made by a candidate or his election agents or by any other person with the effect of inducing a voter to vote for him.”
  • However, the Supreme Court stated that the schemes do not violate Article 14 of public purpose and reasonable classification because they are in the realm of fulfilling the DPSPs.

How to Stop the Freebies model of Governance in India?

India has already suffered greatly as a result of the freebie governance model. Unfortunately, all regional parties and some national political parties engage in mindless populism and irresponsible welfare.

  • A consensus among political parties is required to avoid the long-term financial disaster that freebies will cause.
  • However, The culture of freebies is blamed solely on political elites, while policymakers remain blameless.
  • Constructive debate and discussion in Parliament are difficult because the freebie culture affects every political party, directly or indirectly.
  • As a result, judicial involvement is necessary before any measures can be suggested.
  • The Election Commission of India can expect to effectively enforce the ‘Model Code of Conduct for the Guidance of Political Parties and Candidates’ to regulate election manifestos and prevent the manipulation of informed voter behavior.
  • The strength of political parties in power and opposition is critical to parliamentary democracy. They must be more responsible when developing their plans and manifestos.
  • If voters are wise, educated, and aware, they will not fall for such ruses. Even after accepting freebies, they can vote based on the government’s performance or lack thereof.

Conclusion

The freebies model of governance undermines people’s judgment and the election process, as well as the Indian parliamentary and democratic systems. If the government party understands the needs of the people or has faith in its own governance, there is no need to give and no need for people to accept a freebie.

UPSC Previous Year Questions

Q1. Discuss the procedures to decide the disputes arising out of the election of a Member of the Parliament or a State Legislature under the Representation of People Act 1951. What are the grounds on which the election of any returned candidate may be declared void? What remedy is available to the aggrieved party against the decision? Refer to the case laws. (UPSC Mains 2022, GS Paper 2).

Q2. Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct. (UPSC Mains 2022, GS Paper 2).

Check out the test series for UPSC IAS Exam here.

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Freebie Model of Governance FAQs

Political parties announce freebies in the form of government schemes or manifestos to influence voters in upcoming elections, which cover a wide range of goods and services.

The DMK was the first party in the country to announce a few measures like rice at Re 1 in its state assembly manifesto in 1967.

. Freebies can be a boon to citizens but a curse to the government if they are not used properly.

. The freebie governance model, also known as Revdi Culture, involves political parties announcing freebies in the form of government schemes or manifestos in order to influence voters in upcoming elections.

A manifesto is a published declaration of the intentions, objectives or views of the issuer, whether an individual, group, political party or government, before a general election.
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