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Tuesday, December 2, 2025
TopicFreebies

Topic: Freebies

Polls, populism & the pinch: Tightrope walk for NDA as debts weigh down Bihar economy

In 2025-26, Bihar is estimated to spend Rs 1,08,094 cr on committed expenditure, which is 42% of its estimated revenue receipts. This offers little scope for spending on development.

Welfare or vote-bait? Unpacking the economics of India’s freebie culture

Freebie has become an integral part of our culture; it is like adulterating milk – just improving the quantity with quality remaining sluggish.

BJP govt in Delhi will have to deal with an impending revenue deficit. The promised freebies won’t help

Delhi has historically been in revenue surplus, but last 2 years have seen a deceleration. Subsidies & cash transfers may escalate the deficit, unless accompanied by a hike in revenues.

SubscriberWrites: India’s electoral democracy caught in cobweb of freebies & cash transfer

The focus on freebies and cash transfers has led to policy paralysis, as parties prioritize short-term electoral gains over long-term policy planning.

SubscriberWrites: Slogans, Promises and Freebies

The balance between aspirations and reality in modern India.

Middle class is addicted to Modi. Slowing growth, stalled reform & oppressive taxes don’t matter

Indian middle class seethes at growing phenomenon of political parties taking their tax money and spraying it among the more numerous poorer classes to buy their votes.

Indian political parties’ focus on women, cows & freebies, and Mukesh Ambani’s data centre ambitions

Global media also took note of the railway accident in Maharashtra, writing about safety of train travel in India, as well as the reality of the economic downturn in the country.

There’s a new ‘ism’ in town. Left, Right & Centre are losing to it

In the new world, the only idea that cuts across enough vote banks is populism. Its beauty, charm and success lies in its ease of use, in how little it demands from your head or heart.

Dashing through the snow, in a freebie-laden sleigh & packaged food for thought

The best cartoons of the day, chosen by the editors at ThePrint.

On Camera

RSS is warming up to Yogi Adityanath. CM has many more boxes to tick

It’s not just the Opposition parties Yogi Adityanath has to contend with. His detractors within the BJP are no less formidable.

Modi govt’s PM internship scheme saw high attrition in Year 1. Just 30% joined, 41% quit midway

According to government reply in Lok Sabha, the pilot phase of PMIS is being used to test concepts, strategies and systems before a full-scale implementation of the scheme.

After Op Sindoor, India goes in for more Heron Mk IIs; Israel frontrunner for mega MALE drones deal

Order for 87 MALE drones will be split between 2 Indian firms in 64:36 ratio to ensure there are 2 independent manufacturing lines with at least 60% indigenous components.

Gaali cricket: Bavuma stands tall, India’s Test ego cut to size

The India-South Africa series-defining fact is the catastrophic decline of Indian red ball cricket where a visiting team can mock us with the 'grovel' word.