Reacting to Delhi government’s free electricity and water scheme for the public, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that people like freebies but political parties must think about long-term development.
He further said that development revenue runs out in providing water and electricity for free.
The NCP leader also said that he does not want impose more taxes adding that the tax on gas has already been reduced.
Bureaucrats express concern over freebies in meeting with PM Modi
“Along with the state government, the Centre should also reduce the tax. The central government imposes more tax than the state and should re-consider it,” Pawar said.
This statement from Pawar comes after few officials raised concern over populist schemes announced by several states during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The officials called these schemes “economically unsustainable” and said it could take them down the same path as Sri Lanka.
PM Modi held the four-hour-long meeting with secretaries of all departments at his camp office at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, on Saturday.
The meeting was also attended by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister PK Mishra and Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba along with other top bureaucrats of the Union government.
Arvind Kejriwal has defended his populist schemes
In February, Kejriwal had defended freebies announced by Delhi government saying parties like the BJP are raising the issue because there was nothing left for them to loot.
Equating freebies to social security in America, the Delhi CM said he is giving the free electricity to the public from their own money.
Before Punjab Assembly polls, AAP had announced similar schemes there if his party is voted to power. However, Navjot Singh Sidhu had called AAP’s promise of free electricity, and monthly income to women “lollipops” and asked how he would arrange the amount required to fulfil these sops.
