CJI Suryakant: Freebies Hinder Economic Development, Questioning States' Fiscal Discipline

• CJI Suryakant warns that large concessions and freebies by states could halt the country's economic development.
• The Supreme Court questions who will pay for free schemes when many states are in revenue deficit, pointing to taxpayers.
• CJI emphasizes that providing free facilities indiscriminately, even to those who can afford them, goes against financial discipline.
• He highlights the 'dangerous trend' of pre-election scheme announcements and the shrinking funds for development work due to rising welfare expenditure.
• The court asks states to clarify through affidavits where funds for freebies would come from and advocates for job creation over cash transfers.