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Thursday, December 4, 2025
TopicFreebies

Topic: Freebies

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.

SubscriberWrites: Electoral optics and economy

Political parties must learn to differentiate between welfare schemes and freebies; while welfare schemes positively impact lives, non-merit freebies are not a fair practice.

Maharashtra, Jharkhand results show freebie strategy works. How this may impact states’ finances

While economists warn politicians against making excessive promises, they acknowledge the value of welfare schemes—provided states remain within their financial limits.

More aid for women, houses for ‘sons of soil’. Mahayuti, MVA neck and neck in battle of the freebies

While MVA released joint card of poll guarantees Wednesday, ruling alliance unveiled its 10-point guarantee list a day earlier. Women, youths, farmers, all find place in manifestos.

Modi slams Congress for ‘unreal promises’ after Kharge’s rebuke to Karnataka leaders over guarantees

Development trajectory and fiscal health of states like Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana was deteriorating on account of its guarantee brand of politics, adds PM.

Indian politics is going back to the pre-2014 era. What this means to Brand Modi and BJP

BJP may even end up winning Maharashtra and Jharkhand but going back to pre-2014 politics will hurt Brand Modi.

Modi’s ‘Billionaire Raj’ is making India more unequal. So, freebies are a necessity

The appetite for government benefits has surged in recent years. The genius of Modi’s con job lies in driving the bottom of the pyramid further into distress.

Bad economics of freebies is triggering financial crises for some states. Fiscal discipline is key

Freebies promised during polls, subsidies, swelling wage & pension bills are adding to the debt pile of states like Himachal Pradesh & Punjab. Revenue expenditure rationalisation can help.

‘Welfarism not a substitute for job creation’ — TeamLease vice-chairman on India’s fiscal planning

TeamLease’s Manish Sabharwal spoke to ThePrint about how political leaders, for the sake of winning elections, make big welfare-related promises without a proper plan to fund them.

Punjab to Andhra to Telangana—state govts’ spending on freebies harming India’s growth story

It’s unfortunate that the increase in the overall debt due to irresponsible freebies is causing the downgrade in ratings by international agencies.

On Camera

DKS-Siddaramaiah breakfast to Renuka Chowdhury’s dog—Indian politicians won’t stop the drama

On Monday, Modi delivered an aggressive speech, which TV news pounced upon with relish, sensing a good fight ahead—‘PM tears into Opposition’, ‘belt treatment', 'big attack'.

India’s Russian oil imports are showing up in cryptic new places. The crude map stands redrawn

December oil imports from Russia may drop nearly 50%, but Indian buyers already shifting to non-designated Russian entities and opaque trading channels to keep Russian oil flowing.

India to commission new squadron of submarine-hunting Romeo choppers in Goa later this month

The helicopters produced by Lockheed Martin are known as ‘submarine hunters’. India ordered 24 of these aircraft in 2020 to replace the Sea King helicopters. 15 have been delivered till date.

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.