New Delhi: The Modi government on Wednesday came out in support of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) urging the Supreme Court to restrain political parties from promising and distributing “irrational freebies” during election campaigns.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the central government and submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana that populist promises “distort the informed decision-making process of a voter”. This PIL has been filed by advocate and BJP spokesperson Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay.
“We are heading towards an economic disaster. Let the Election Commission of India (EC) make up its mind and we can pass on our suggestions to your lordship. Please do something about it,” Mehta told the bench.
The bench during the last hearing held in AprilAfter, flagged the issue of free gifts as “serious” Central Sarkar, then represented by Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraja, could not present Clear stand on PIL
The EC has already filed an affidavit in court stating that it will not interfere, and that voters can decide during the election whether the free policy is economically viable, or the state’s economic health. has an adverse effect on. ,
The Center presented its stand on the issue for the first time in its arguments before the top court on Wednesday.
Ultimately, the CJI said that a panel comprising members from various government organisations, central and state governments and political parties may be constituted to look into the issue of freebies.
Let the Election Commission look again, says Solicitor General
Mehta said the government supports “the contention of the petitioner”.
“Let the ECI think once again. The voter does not realize that by the end of five years, this (free gift) is taken back from him. It is like getting something in the right pocket and later taking it back from your left pocket,” said Mehta.
However, CJI Ramana said it was not possible for him to force the Election Commission to reconsider. “It (EC) has given up its hands (sic)He asked Solicitor General Mehta, who insisted that the Commission be asked to reconsider its view.
Mehta said, “The commission can keep an eye on it all the time. A model with some teeth may be code.,
The suggestion of the Solicitor General was refuted by the counsel for the Election Commission, who said that the Commission has taken a stand in its affidavit. To this, Mehta retorted, ‘But there can be no opposition to watching again.
CJI Ramana agreed with Mehta’s views that freebies have an adverse effect on the country’s economy. He said that free gifts can be extended only to a certain section of the society – Dalits. But the extent to which this can be given remains to be determined.
CJI proposes high level panel
To do so, the CJI proposed setting up a high-powered panel comprising members from various bodies such as NITI Aayog, Reserve Bank of India, Finance Commission, Law Commission, Election Commission as well as political parties, state governments kept. and center.
The bench directed all the parties to suggest the composition of such a panel and asked senior advocate Kapil Sibal to give his views on it.
“I want to take the help of an experienced MP,” the CJI said.
Sibal, on his part, opposed Mehta’s view that the Election Commission should be allowed to reconsider. “ECI today has become MFI – most preferred institution. But it is not an election issue and more political and economic,” said Sibal. He advised that the Finance Commission should look into the matter and submit a report to the government who follows his recommendations.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
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