Key Points
Experts have warned that populist promises, such as cash and travel subsidies, promised by political parties in the lead up to elections in India, could harm long-term growth prospects..
Former chairman of the National Statistical Commission, Pronab Sen, called for action by the Election Commission against such promises..
The freebies promised by the Congress party that swept the Karnataka polls could spur competitive populism in the build-up to the 2024 general election, experts said, warning reckless giveaways would hurt long-term growth and development prospects...
M Govinda Rao, a member of the 14th Finance Commission, sees the freebie culture continuing as political parties remain more focused on short-term rather than long-term benefits...
The "redistribution (of resources) is an obvious function of the government because markets don't do redistribution, but it's better to do it through direct cash transfers rather than through other means," Rao said.. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned against what he calls "revdi (freebie)" culture for seeking votes, terming it "very dangerous" for the country's development..
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